Iberia already have one team in the EuroBasket 2005 final round and there could be two if Portugal can build on their successful start to the summer.

Valentyn Melnychuk's men have won seven friendlies in a row, including three over both England and Slovakia, and a triumph over Castilla & Leon - a regional Spanish side.

England suffered their second loss to Portugal in as many days when going down 88-70 in Belem, giving the home side an unassailable lead in their three-match series.

England effectively dug themselves into a hole from the start, allowing Portugal to hit six three-pointers as the hosts raced to a 35-14 lead.

Portugal have dreams of making it to EuroBasket 2005 but if Monday night's game against England is any indication they will need some improvement.

Valentyn Melnychuk's men showed a tremendous fighting spirit to win 82-80, but the fact that they trailed a team a team like England, who did not play in European Championship qualifying action the past two years, by as many as 19 points in the third quarter will have given the coach plenty of concern.