Head coach Damian Jenning commented after the game: "It's a slightly football cliche, but it was a game of two halves! We certainly gave ourselves a great chance in the first, securing rebounds that turned into quick breaks and making deep catches through patient offense.

"The second half was disappointing and I think at this stage of the tournament our 1992 generation will have learnt a lot about finishing strong and having the mental capacity during the business end of a top level tournament - the experiences in the last few games in this area alone will bode well for next year.

"Now we move forward in our last battle to see if we can finish with a performance we are completely proud of - the players certainly have it in them!"

Touty Gandega opened the scoring for France, but baskets from Renee Busch and Ella Clark tied the score at four in as many minutes, but despite scores from Temi Fagbenle - on her return from injury - and Rebecca Allison, GB trailed 9-8 at the first break.

Scores from Clark and Erin McGarrachan gave Britain a three point lead at the start of the second period, and with Clark taking her tally to nine and Fagbenle going into the locker room with eight points, GB led 21-16 at half-time.

With Fagbenle proving a thorn in France's side, GB still led until the 3:08 mark when Gandega levelled the score, and the French closed out the third period on a 7-0 run to lead 32-29 at the first break.

A Fagbenle three-point play levelled the score to open the fourth period, but that was as good as it got for GB as the French reeled off 12 straight points to take control of the game as they closed out the win.

Fagbenle led the way for GB with 15 points and six rebounds, with Ella Clark adding ten points, but 45-34 discrepancy in rebounds proved key for the French.

Linda Bousbaa led France with 17 points and six rebounds, while Hhadydia Minte had 15 boards to go with her nine points and three steals.