Britain out of EuroBasket

Team GB eventually succumbed 62-59 to the runners-up from two years ago and current world number two after taking a 15-point lead into the half-time interval.

But despite the reversal, signs of encouragement are clear for all to see leading into London 2012 as the Brits have now suffered three defeats by the narrowest of margins to three powerhouses of the women's game Lithuania, Turkey and Russia. 

Tom Maher's side held a ten-point lead going into the last five minutes of the game but a fantastic 17-2 run from the champions of four years ago sealed their fate.

Kim Butler top scored for Great Britain tallying 15 points and six rebounds while Natalie Stafford went a perfect ten for ten from the free throw line to finish with 14 points and three steals in the loss.

And GB coach Maher admitted that as long as his side can learn from this experience, they will emerge all the stronger for it when the Olympics come to town next year.

"It was disappointing, but it was what it was, we didn't do enough to win," he said. 

"We don't have the experience and the poise to win games like this down the stretch, but we'll only get that by playing in these type of games.

"When you're totally outmatched in the paint, but are eight up with four to play, that has to be a positive. But from there on, we couldn't get a decent shot up."

With Britain now heading home, Maher remained bullish about his side's chances in the future, choosing to take the positives from a promising first-ever EuroBasket campaign.

"I'm proud of the team, and we'd have taken this coming into the championships. But we coughed up two games we should have won, against Lithuania and Russia, and we need to learn from that before the Olympics next year."