Competing in his third FIBA EuroBasket, GB veteran Myles Hesson led the way for GB against Sweden, scoring 17 points and adding three assists, a block, and a steal.

Despite Hesson’s strong all-round performance, a late push from Sweden saw them overcome GB’s efforts, winning the game 59-78.

The game got off to a clunky start, with neither team able to string consecutive successful possessions. GB kept things close with some nice ball movement, finding Luke Nelson and big man Jabrile Belo open for three.

Belo scored 14 points on the night, connecting on both of his three-point attempts and combining his range with incisive work in the paint.

GB Captain Carl Wheatle again produced a strong defensive performance, epitomised by his soaring block in the second quarter. He grabbed 13 rebounds across the match, ensuring GB would not concede many second-chance buckets.

However, in the second half, Sweden’s Pelle Larsson put together a quality showing, scoring 23 points in total and affecting every aspect of the game. Sweden stormed out to a 14-point lead at the end of the third quarter, which proved too significant for GB to overturn.

Speaking after the loss, Head Coach Marc Steutel said, "Congratulations to Sweden, I thought they executed well at times, particularly in that third period. Congratulations to them on an important win.

"As always, our group stays together to fight at this level, but it’s a disappointing and frustrating day for everyone associated with Great Britain. I felt we couldn’t find rhythm with the game, and in the first half, we had 12 turnovers, and from memory, I’ll need to watch it back, but I don’t think a lot of them were forced turnovers.

"We were trying to find ways where we thought we could be effective, where we could challenge Sweden, but we weren't able to get that level of rhythm and flow in the game.

"We try and live and breathe protecting the paint, and we didn’t do a good enough job to our level, to our standards tonight, regardless of the outcome."

For GB to progress from their group, they now need to win their remaining games against Germany and Montenegro.

Steutel added, "I always have complete belief in our group. We need to pinpoint those periods in the game where we are playing our style, and we want to try and find a way to impose that style for longer periods.

"I’ll shoulder that responsibility, to find more solutions, we know that it doesn’t get any easier. We have the world champions, Germany, on Monday, who were really impressive today in their game against Lithuania."

After a slow start, GB settled down into the game, letting the ball ping around the perimeter before finding Nelson, starting in place of Tarik Phillip, for the corner three. Belo, Head Coach Marc Steutel’s other tactical tweak, started the game well, knocking down his patented deep-two from the top of the key.

GB suffered early in the paint, with Ludvig Hakanson and Pelle Larsson driving the ball well and finding gaps in the defence. Wheatle’s defensive effort proved critical, with his rebounding in particular ensuring GB maintained some control.

Towards the end of the period, Amin Adamu dropped in a heavily contested layup, which Hesson then followed up with a bruising attack on the basket, keeping the game close.

First Quarter: GBR 13 / SWE 19

Luke Nelson scored nine points against Sweden

Sweden opened the second quarter hot, as Barra Njie and Melwin Pantzar hit back-to-back three-pointers to widen the margin.

GB came roaring back, with Nelson’s pump fake and sidestep on the perimeter, opening himself up for the three. Belo then flared off the Akwasi Yeboah drive to get a three of his own.

Hesson began to conduct proceedings offensively, driving the ball inside and dishing to Dan Akin for the athletic finish down low.

In defence, Wheatle leapt into the air as Wilhem Falk found himself one-on-one with the GB Captain. Wheatle soared high, spiking Falk’s layup attempt, grabbing the loose ball and driving the fastbreak.

Jelani Watson-Gayle’s pull-up three to end the half cut the lead to just five with all to play for.

Half Time: GBR 30 / SWE 35

Wheatle showed off his athleticism all game

GB’s indomitable veteran Hesson erupted in the third quarter. After GB collected an offensive rebound, the ball swung around to Hesson, who finished a thunderous one-handed dunk through the contact, to start the half.

Then, after a breakdown in play, Watson-Gayle shovelled the ball to Hesson with the shot clock winding down, and he stuck the three. Hesson later found himself on the right wing, and again, he struck gold, taking his tally to 15 points with two minutes left in the third.

Unfortunately for GB, Sweden seemed to have an answer for every bucket. Larsson found his shooting form, having struggled in the tournament thus far, making two in the corner. His off-ball movement and ability to get to the free-throw line hurt GB, despite their offensive successes.

To close the quarter, Belo slammed in the dunk off a lovely bounce-pass from Nelson, but Larsson came right back with a contested layup.

Third Quarter: GBR 47 / SWE 61

Hesson led GB in scoring with 17 points

Yeboah and Belo connected early in the period, the former navigating his way inside before bouncing to the latter for the finish through contact.

Belo led the scoring effort in the final quarter, splashing in his second three and working his way to the line, taking his final points tally to 14. Nelson added another three, to finish with nine points.

Unfortunately for GB, Sweden pulled away, as their quality ball movement found the open man consistently. Larsson ended the game with 23 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, leading his nation to victory.

Final Score: GBR 59 / SWE 78

You can stream GB’s next match against Germany live and for free on Courtside 1891 at 2:30 pm (BST) on Monday, 1 September.