The Olympic preparation continues as Team GB hosts Portugal

Ponds Forge and the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield play host to Team GB and Portugal this weekend with Coach Finch having the opportunity to use two of the teams remaining five games before the Olympics, to fine tune his squad.

The fixtures on Saturday 14th July and Sunday 15th July are the first time that Team GB have played at home since their narrow 91-90 loss to Australia on the 21st August 2011.

Although Team GB have so far struck out during their warm-ups, going 0-7, great strides have been made in recent games, with recent losses to established international sides; Lithuania, France and Spain coming in the final quarter of close competitions.

One man who will not be at the games this weekend to help break the losing streak, will be NBA-bound Joel Freeland.

The 6’10 forward will, instead, be putting the finishing touches to his reported $9 million/3-year contract with the Portland Trailblazers.

It will be only the second time in 18 games that Freeland hasn’t been able to suit up for his country.

Saturday represents only the second meeting ever between Team GB and Portugal, with the first encounter coming at FIBA Eurobasket 2011, resulting in an 85-73 victory for Coach Finch’s team.

Portugal went on to finish that competition with a record of 0-5 having lost games by an average of 17.2 points per game.

Team GB are currently FIBA ranked 43rd in the world while Portugal are ranked 44th.