The two sides are set to meet in the group stages of the European Championships in Poland next month.

 

 

Britain welcomed back Flinder Boyd, Robert Archibald and captain Andrew Sullivan from injury as well as Andy Betts, who was unavailable for Game On At The O2 due to personal reasons but they still slipped to another defeat after being beaten by Poland, Turkey and Israel.

 

Three of Britain's starting five ended the game in double figures, with Nate Reinking and Nick George scoring 11 points each and Mike Lenzly 10.

 

Spain may have been missing their star player Lakers' Pau Gasol, who is sidelined with a broken finger, but they still had Portland Trailblazer Rudy Fernandez and Ricky Rubio, who was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in June, on display.

 

Fernandez hit 11 points and Rubio 13 while Juan Carlos Navarro and Marc Gasol both sunk 17.

 

Chris Finch, Britain's coach, said: "In the first half we had chances to be in the game but when you play a team of this calibre they do such a good job at keeping you at bay.

 

"They got a ten point advantage and then kept us there.

 

"There were some positives to take out of the game; it was good having Andy and Rob back on the floor plus Nate shot well.

 

"Rob played well, he was in the right place at the right time.

 

"He didn't finish off many plays but this was about getting him out there and getting confidence back.

 

"As I told the guys after the game it's part of a process, it's not going to come together quickly.

 

"I'm pretty confident that in a couple of weeks this team will be a different team."

 

Britain play Lithuania tomorrow while Spain take on Slovenia.