Team GB basketball side miss out on lucrative match with US 'Dream Team' at Olympics

A view of the basketball arena (GETTY IMAGES)

The schedule for the basketball competition at the London 2012 Olympics has been revealed, with Team GB missing out on a lucrative match with the United States.

In the men's competition, Team GB have been drawn with Australia, Spain, Brazil, China and a further team that is yet to qualify.

In the other side of the draw, the US 'Dream Team' will play Argentina, France, Tunisia and two further qualifiers.

Missing out on a guaranteed match against the US will be a blow for Team GB, with the glamour and excitement that would have been generated from playing the defending Olympic champions. To have any chance of meeting them, Team GB will need to progress from a tough group to meet them in the knock-out phase.

The preliminary stage will take place at the Basketball Arena at the Olympic Park, with the top four teams progressing to the quarter-finals, which will be held at the O2, which during the Olympics will be known as the North Greenwich Arena.

The Team GB women's side will play Australia, Brazil, Russia and two remaining qualifiers. In the other side of the draw are Angola, China, USA and three remaining qualifiers.

The women's tournament will tip-off on Saturday July 28, with Team GB in action against world number two Australia. The men's tournament will start the following day, with the US in action against France and Team GB competing against one of the qualifiers later in the day.