Great Britain , who only secured Deng's NBA release last Saturday suffered an agonizing 102-92 defeat at Israel in their opening EuroBasket 2009 qualifying clash. Luol Deng scattered 30-points and manage to give the Britons a one point lead, 84-83, In the ensuing play, the Israelis used the shot clock only to miss a three pointer by their veteran guard Meir Tapiro. The Britons grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with 4 seconds remaining.When play resumed, Tapiro fouled Nate Reinking with three seconds remaining. Reinking made the first free throw but missed the second to leave Britain leading 85-83. However, Reinking was then whistled for a foul on Tapiro with just one second left. Tapiro calmly sank both free throws to send the game to overtime.The lead changed hands four times in the first three minutes of overtime with Deng twice making jump shots - one a three-pointer - to give Britain the lead. But after Brit Flinder Boyd converted just one of two at the charity stripe to make it 91-91, Yaniv Green hit a jumper to put the Israelis in front for good. And the Israelis coast for the win in the dying minutes.
