Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Luol Deng both impressed for Team GB but the host nation suffered a 95-75 defeat in their basketball opener against Russia.

There was plenty of London interest in the British squad, with NBA star Deng the standout name for the host nation.

He was joined in the squad by Tottenham’s Mensah-Bonsu, who has also turned out in the American league, as well as Greenwich-born Dan Clark.

Deng was Team GB’s lead point-scorer in the opening period, claiming eight of the 19 his side put on the scoreboard.

The sides appeared evenly matched with the scores tied at 13-13 but Russia turned on the style to open up an advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Andrei Kirilenko proved particularly potent at finding the basket as Britain found themselves trailing 24-19 after the first ten minutes.

The second quarter was all about Mensah-Bonsu for the hosts as his eight points looked to keep them in touch.

However, the Russians had a response for everything that Britain threw their way and duly increased their advantage at half time to 49-34.

Kirilenko and Alexey Shved were looking an irresistible force as the duo combined regularly to keep the score ticking over.

But the third period was as much about Deng as it was the Minniesota Timberwolves pair as he led the British charge which saw the deficit cut.

The Chicago Bulls forward picked up 12 points but Russia’s slow start to the half was quickly rectified as they took a 71-58 lead into the final quarter.

Mensah-Bonsu added a further nine points in the last ten minutes but the Russians were able to increase the advantage, taking the win with plenty to spare.

Russia: Shved, Mozgov, Karasev, Fridzon, Kaun, Voronov, Khrypa, Antonov, Monya, Khostov, Ponkrashov, Kirilenko.

TeamGB: Achara, Lawrence, Lenzly, Mensah-Bonsu, Sullivan, Deng, Archibald, Freeland, Reinking, Clark, Johnson, Boateng.