Basketball: Injuries leave England down to bare bones

England's players need to repair more than self-respect and their public image when they face the Czech Republic at the Aston Events Centre, Birmingham in the European Championship semi-final round tonight, just one week after their 97-39 capitulation against Italy in Coventry.

England lost 104-71 in Slovenia on Saturday and, with Portugal defeating Russia, coach Laszlo Nemeth's players risk finishing bottom of Group E and having to pre-qualify for the next Championships.

Sunday night's practice was "excellent and intense" said Nemeth, but the good work was undone when Yorick Williams and Chris Pearson reported injured yesterday and missed both sessions.

Because the cash-strapped governing body, England Basketball, could afford only the minimum of 10 players for the squad, Nemeth had to borrow two players from Birmingham Bullets for last night's session.

Fit or not, Williams and Pearson will be on the bench tonight. "We have no choice," said Nemeth. "We have to suit up 10 players." After seven rounds, Italy lead the group on six wins, followed by Russia on five and Slovenia with four. The Czechs, England and Portugal have two wins each.

England conclude their fixtures away to Russia on 22 January and four days later against Portugal in Birmingham, in a fixture which could be decisive for England's place in the 2005 semi-final round.