12:19 AM
Shweta Pandey
A building site in Stratford, corralled within electric fences and inhabited by muddied men in hard hats, was a bizarre venue for Olympic sport on Tuesday.
This time next year the Games will be all memories and archive material but for the first time the place that will become the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was entered by paying spectators.
Up and over: Nicolas Batum of France (No 5) goes for a slam against Great Britain
Basketball had the honour of going first of 26 sports, and 3,000 Londoners the thrill of cheering inside an arena sold out for the Games.
This was the London International Invitational, featuring six nations, including Great Britain, over four of the next five days. The event is part of London Prepares, the Games' testing programme.
The Arena, costing £60million and dubbed the Wedding Cake because of its white exterior, is temporary but could just as easily be an NBA arena - an illusion which will be made complete this weekend when Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng appears in a GB vest.
Ready for action: The Great Britain players line up for the London International
It was the lack of competitiveness in the opening game that told a different story. China were inept as Australia thrashed them 71-43 and later Britain - minus Deng - fared little better, losing 82-60 to France.
Deng's absence was the biggest talking point for Britain, who found a more experienced France team too strong.
'I thought at moments we played well, and at moments we played like a young team trying to find itself out there,' coach Chris Finch said. 'That's pretty much what we are.'
Britain had trailed for most of the game, but kept it close until the third quarter when the gap was four, 45-41. But from there, France began to pull clear and led 60-48 at the end of the period.
Having a ball: Crowds enjoy the action at the Olympic Park dubbed the Wedding Cake (see below)
A British rally made it 64-56, but France moved through the gears once more and finished strongly.
Joel Freeland led Britain with 16 points while veteran guard Nate Reinking had 11. San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker poured in 23 points for France with Nicolas Batum adding 14 and Joakim Noah 10.
'We've got a lot of guys who are first-timers in the national team trying to find their feet,' said Britain captain Andrew Sullivan. 'Everyone gave a lot of effort but the fact we're a young team showed.'
While there was disappointment on the court, the specially-constructed arena itself received positive reviews from all the teams.
A bit different: The outside of the arena does look like a wedding cake
'It's pretty impressive,' Sullivan added. 'It's just a shame that it's only temporary. It would be nice if it was going to stay.
'The atmosphere was really good, and we're really looking forward to playing here next summer when there are 12,000 people here.
'Hopefully, the majority of those 12,000 people will be cheering for us and you really get a feel for what it could be like.'
Leading the way: Joel Freeland was the top scorer for Team GB with 16 points
There were some teething problems with the new arena, not least as the wrong tune was accidentally played in place of the Chinese national anthem.
However, China's American coach Bob Donewald did not seem to mind as he gave a glowing review.
'First-class event, first class teams and a first-class facility,' the former British Basketball League coach said.
Spurred on: San Antonio star Tony Parker scored 23 of France's points
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