Great Britain's men return to action on home soil with clash against Puerto Rico

(TRAVPR.COM) UK - August 9th, 2013 - In the first game to be held at the renovated Copper Box Arena since the London 2012 Olympics, Great Britain's men take on Puerto Rico on Sunday 11th August at 3pm as part of their preparations for the prestigious EuroBasket 2013 competition in Slovenia next month. Three days later, on Wednesday 14th August at 7.30pm, the London's only professional basketball club team, the London Lions, will start its new season at the same venue with a clash against leading US college side, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Great Britain will be without two key players - the injured Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng and Joel Freeland of the Portaland Trail Blazers, who wishes to focus on his NBA training programme - but the likes of Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Daniel Clarke and Andrew Sullivan will be in the 17-strong preliminary squad ahead of the EuroBasket tournament, which takes place from 4th to 22nd September. Opponents Puerto Rico did not qualify for the last two Olympics but finished sixth in Athens in 2004 and are the defending Pan American Games winners.

The game is part of the special anniversary celebrations of London 2012 and coincides with the reopening of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Britain's return to basketball action is one of many London Events taking place in August, the best of which are featured on the events and entertainment website LondonTown.com.

The London Lions are the only professional basketball club in London and this pre-season clash against Iowa Hawkeyes will be their first at their new home, the Copper Box Arena, following the move across town from the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. In their first season last year, the Lions overachieved by reaching the play-offs in the top flight of British Basketball - and this Wednesday evening game against strong American opposition will be a great gauge of form ahead of a new season which holds much promise.

Both basketball games will be a great opportunity for fans to experience the Copper Box Arena since major refurbishment works following the Olympics. Also known as 'the box that rocks' during London 2012, the 7,500-capacity venue hosted the Olympic handball competition and Paralympic goalball tournament during the Summer Games.

The Copper Box Arena is now under the management of charitable social enterprise GLL and is much more than a sporting venue, boasting state-of-the-art community facilities including a gym, exercise studio, café, crèche and sports hall - all of which are available to use by local residents, clubs and schools.

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