After a brilliant European Championship promotion campaign, which surpassed even the most optimistic predictions, Great Britain can now plan for next season safe in the knowledge that Luol Deng, the Chicago Bulls forward, remains committed to the national team programme.

Deng scored 22 points in Geneva on Saturday as Britain completed the formalities of a 44-point aggregate win over Switzerland in the promotion play-off which lifts Chris Finch's team into the A Division of the European Championship.

The victory means Finch's team won all six European contests this summer, by an average score of over 25 points per game, holding the lead in those games for 237 out of 240 minutes, a staggering degree of dominance which has made Britain a genuine contender to reach the European Finals Championship Finals for the first time when the qualifying tournament for Poland 2009 takes place next August and September.

Deng, 22, has been the cornerstone of Britain's achievements although the efforts of Robert Archibald, leading scorer with 23 points in Geneva, captain Andrew Sullivan (12 points) and Andy Betts (6 points, 6 rebounds) among others, should not be understated.

The Bulls forward returned to Chicago today and, with only one season remaining on his contract with the Bulls, will immediately embark upon discussions over an extension that could reach as high as $60 million for five years. Conceivably, Deng may not sign that deal and opt to become a restricted free agent next summer - a state of affairs which may cast doubt on his involvement in the national team programme in August and September 2008.

However, although unable to talk in absolutes, Deng is in no doubt that only a major, unforeseen problem will prevent him from continuing his stunning entry into international basketball.

"I do definitely want to do this," said Deng. "This is why I came over here to play for GB this summer, it's a privilege playing for your country.

"I'm already looking forward to it. Obviously, I've got to see what my own situation is, also. I could be in a position where my team feels I shouldn't do it or where I'm in the middle of contract negotiations. But we've put ourselves in a position right now where it would be really stupid for me not to do this next year. It would have to be something really major for me not to play."

Deng's continued commitment, plus the fact that Finch could strengthen his squad with exciting emerging players such as Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Joel Freeland, Nick George and Kelenna Azubuike next summer, has seen Britain gain instant credibility and respect around Europe.

"I don't think the really elite level countries have noticed us yet," said Finch, whose contract as head coach expires in October when he will embark on contract negotiations of his own with governing body British Performance Basketball. "It's up to us to make them take notice when we get in front of them. Hopefully, that will be soon.

"What I'm most pleased about now is that we qualified with such resounding effect. Every time you go out there, you want to play to your full potential and I think that for 90 per cent of the time this summer, we did that."

Hardly surprisingly, given the 33-point first leg cushion, Britain's least impressive performance may have come last, yet such was the gulf in class that defeat always seemed unlikely, certainly after Deng scored six points in a 17-8 start to the game.

The Swiss, with their own Chicago Bull Thabo Sefolosha, twice pulled to within one point in the final period but, on both occasions, Deng responded with bursts that kept the hosts at bay.

Great Britain: Archibald 23, Deng 22, Sullivan 12, Reinking 10, Huggins 8, Betts 8, Lenzly 4, Midgley 2, Haslam 0, Sanders (dnp).

Switzerland: T Sefolosha 17, Stockalper 14, K Sefolosha 13, Ramseier 12, Mafuta 9, Nattiel 7, Vogt 4, Imgruth 2, Wegmann 0, Jaquier (dnp), Sainte-Rose (dnp).

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