GB U20 Women started their European Championship campaign with a tough 55-49 loss to basketball powerhouses Russia.

 

GB trailed by 7 points at half-time and were unable to make headway as they were held off by the Russian's marginally better shooting and better control of the ball (7 turnovers to GB's 20).

 

Britain only managed 2 points in the opening 5 minutes of the game, but they were still in touch after a Renee Busch three pointer made the score 9-7 in favour of Russia just a minute later.

 

The Russians had extended their lead to 9 points early in the second period and it took lots of guts and hard work from the GB girls to keep the margin within single figures heading into the second half.

 

A 7-0 run by GB capped by 5 consecutive points from Cheridene Green - who represented England U18s less than two weeks before - brought them within 2, but three pointers from Efimova and Stolyar helped Russia restore their advantage.

 

A run at the lead never materialised in the fourth quarter as GB found themselves trailing by as many as 12 points before late points brought them closer.

 

Busch top scored with 16 points and Green was impressive in her debut at this level (and at more than 3 years younger than some of her opponents) with 9 points and 12 rebounds.

 

GB face Serbia, who defeated Slovak republic by one point in the other group game, in their next game on Friday.