GREAT Britain international Pops Mensah-Bonsu expects the next two years to be a make-or-break period for British basketball.

The Ghanaian-born forward is part of the Britain side that will take on Macedonia at Newcastle’s new Sport Central venue tomorrow in a Eurobasket qualifier.

The match is part of the qualification competition for next year’s European Championships, and will have a major impact on Britain’s efforts to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

The London Games offer an ideal platform to promote the sport, and Mensah- Bonsu admits British basketball cannot afford to let the current crop of opportunities pass by.

“I think we can have a big impact on the popularity of basketball in this country with success at next year’s European Championships and the Olympics,” he said.

“If we can have a good show in 2012, or play really well there I think we could do something for the next generation.

“If you look at what cycling and rowing did at the last Olympics, after their success a lot of the younger generation picked up the sports and took it on from there.

“If we’re able to do so in basketball, maybe those younger guys will be excited about the sport, just like others.

“Players like me put a lot of pressure on themselves to carry the torch. We want to be some of the pioneers of the sport.”

Tomorrow’s game starts at 4pm and tickets are available on the day or from www.gameongb.com