LONDON 2012: Finch upbeat after back-to-back wins over Portugal

Posted: Sunday 15th July 2012 | 23:02

CHRIS Finch declared himself a much happier man after Great Britain's basketball men completed back-to-back victories over Portugal in Sheffield.

CONTRIBUTION: Kyle Johnson scored 21 points as Great Britain beat Portugal for the second time in 24 hours in Sheffield (British Basketball)

Finch has deliberately given his side a difficult run of matches in the build-up to Team GB's first Olympic basketball campaign in 64 years.

They arrived in the Steel City trying to reverse a run of seven straight defeats but now go into this week's final friendly with reigning Olympic champions the USA in a positive mood.

Kyle Johnson scored 21 points in the 86-66 win while Luol Deng, Eric Boateng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu also impressed.

“Overall this was a great performance, yesterday was rusty so it was much improved today, especially our second half showing, lots of things to be happy about and everyone was really focused and played really sharp," said Finch.

“Kyle Johnson shot the ball very well and has been a great find overall for us, but all the players we have are great finds and they all contributed well in this game."

Meanwhile, Great Britain's women - defeated by world number two side Australia on Saturday - were 74-67 winners over France, a team ranked eighth in the world.

Jo Leedham's 23 points proved decisive while Natalie Stafford again made a telling contribution.

“Our goal was to make this our best game,” commented head coach Tom Maher, whose side will also play their final match before the Games against the USA in Manchester.

“After playing two games in two days, if this isn’t our best game then after the lessons that Angola and Australia taught us, we haven’t moved forward.

“We had to play our best game and we did it.”