LONDON LIONS GEARED FOR NEXT EURO STEP
London Lions head into virgin territory with a trip to Istanbul on Wednesday.
The second phase of the FIBA Europe Cup. A considerable step up in class to expected from the opening round where the BBL outfit emerged with a creditable 5-1 record, averaging 83.5 points per game on 51% shooting.
Now into the Last 16 where they open up against Bahcesehir College – formerly a sister club of the late departed Plymouth Raiders – who went unbeaten in six games while giving up a mere 68.8 points per night.
Around Christmas, the Lions will criss-cross Europe: long haul to Russia to face Saratov and short hop to Denmark to meet Bakken Bears.
It is three decades since Kingston reached the last eight of Europe’s Champions Cup, the forerunner of the EuroLeague.
The Europe Cup might be the continent’s fourth-tier competition but it is no soft touch. Bahcesehir last week picked up Sam Dekker fresh off the NBA waiver wire to supplement its roster.
Yet there has been a lot to like about London’s play this term at home, and abroad where rookie GM Brett Burman moved to add Marquis Teague to a domestic line-up that has been stylish and potent, despite last weekend’s loss in Newcastle.
“The team has shown some amazing team-spirit so far this season, putting in a string of incredibly strong performances to create history,” head coach Vince Macaulay said.
“The team are excited to challenge themselves in the next stage of the Europe Cup and we will go into this game with a huge enthusiasm.
“It is a momentous occasion in the club’s history, and we are very proud to have made it into the second round, and travel to Istanbul to face Bahcesehir College. The team has confidence and believe we can stand up to any opponent we face at the moment. We will not be overwhelmed by the occasion and come into the game ready to perform and play our best basketball.
“The excitement and enthusiasm in the team is palpable. We are ready to face any challenge which comes our way.”
Ahmedphotos
Do you like our work?
We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.
We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.
We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.
If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.
We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.
0 comments