By Rob Dugdale in Cagliari

GB coach Chris Finch was satisfied with his team's performance

Great Britain, without NBA superstar Luol Deng, beat Belgium 80-64 in their first game of the season in the Sardinia Basket tournament in Cagliari.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu hit 20 points on his long-awaited debut and another new cap, Nick George, added 10 points.

Always the better side, GB allowed an 18-point half-time lead slip to just five points before a strong finish.

The team, who face six tough European qualifying matches next month, next play Estonia in the Cagliari event.

Great Britain dominated the first half even without Deng, who is waiting for playing insurance clearance from Chicago.

Also missing is 7ft 1in starting centre Andrew Betts, who is resting a back injury.

When Belgium made their third-quarter comeback, it was veteran guard Nate Reinking�s two three-pointers that helped calm Britain�s nerves.

�It was a good first game,� said GB coach Chris Finch. �To use an expression we�ve been using a lot recently, we�re not hitting many home runs but we�re striking a few guys out."

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The pick of the other new caps were George, praised for his defensive work by Finch, and former Newcastle player Steve Leven, who had an impressive second half, scoring seven points.

Scottish forward Kieron Achara also impressed on debut, hitting nine points and providing strong rebounding.

�We�re a young team,� said Finch. �We played tough and we have a long way to go - but this was a good first step.�

Great Britain�s women fared less well in their opening Division A qualifying match, losing 59-54 in Kiev.

Mark Clark�s team were led by Jo Leedham�s 14 points and 12 from Kim Butler.

Although GB finished the game strongly, Ukraine�s 17-point lead with 14 minutes proved too large a margin for the British girls to close.