SEPTEMBER 9 - BRITAIN'S men and women's basketball players today both recorded their first vicotires in the European Championship qualifying tournaments.

 

The men bounced from their defeat in Slovakia last week to beat Holland 63-39 at Meadowbank in Edinburgh and the women beat Estonia 72-66 in Tallin. Julius Joseph (pictured) led the scoring for the men with 15 points while Stefanie Collins and Rosalee Mason each notched up 17 points for the women.

 

The win for the men means GB can travel to Albania for Wednesday's qualifier knowing that a win in their last two game this season will give them at least a share of the Group B lead.

 

"We've got a tough week- I like the way that our schedule has fallen, but we just have to take advantage of it," said Chris Finch, the men's head coach.

 

Like the men, the women are hoping to prove themselves worthy of the automatic place they are entitled to at the 2012 Olympics.