With Britain already qualified after Wednesday night's epic win over the Czech Republic in Pardubice, they decided not to risk Deng who was suffering from an ankle injury.

 

Bosnia needed the Czechs to win in Israel in order to be able to take second place in the group and stand a chance of qualifying.

 

By half-time, it was clear Israel would beat the Czechs easily and in fact, by a feat of minor mathematics, ensure they too will be in Poland next September.

 

Andy Betts, playing his first full game back after injury, hit 14 points and took eight rebounds for Britain.

 

Nate Reinking added 13 points and Joel Freeland, elevated to a starting spot, had 12 points and eight boards.

 

Although Britain led the first quarter 20-13, only Betts' nine points kept them in the second, when Bosnia hit 30 points.

 

The lead grew to 61-51 before the end of the third quarter and was 82-66 with three minutes 40 seconds remaining.

 

Britain's pride was restored by a 14-3 run late on, inspired by Andrew Sullivan's three-point play, but that fizzled out in the last 20 seconds as Bosnia, who were led by 18 points from naturalised American guard Ernest Bremer, sealed their win from the free-throw line.

 

Bosnia must now take their chance of one of six teams to compete for the final place in next year's finals.

 

Israel's 98-61 thrashing of the Czechs not only took them through, but threw France, beaten 80-78 at home by Turkey, into the additional qualifying group as well.