LIVE STREAM: U18 Women National Cup Final – Manchester Mystics v CoLA Southwark Pride (3:30pm)

Watch the 2024 U18 Women National Cup Final between Manchester Mystics v CoLA Southwark Pride, live from 15:30 at the National Basketball Performance centre, Manchester.

Two of the most prolific teams at this level meet on Saturday afternoon as Manchester Mystics take on CoLA Southwark Pride.

The Mystics can become the most successful team in the competition’s history with a win, taking themselves to five titles.

CoLA on the other hand can join Ipswich, Sevenoaks and their opponents Manchester with four wins, should all go to plan from their perspective.

To reach the final, Manchester had the difficult task of seeing off reigning champs Ipswich, doing so in a 68-66 thriller last month.

CoLA by comparison were able to ease past Milton Keynes 93-48 in their semi-final as they look to go one better than last year’s runner-up spot.

Mystics are able to call on a number of their U16s who won the National Cup at that age group in 2022/23, including former MVP Irene Oboavwoduo and guard Maisie Keyes.

Daisy Bryan, Elizandra and Carina Costa plus others have all been collecting valuable WNBL Division One minutes this campaign as part of their development and will add another dimension to Manchester’s game plan.

Coach Gibbons’ side possess a trio of forwards who could make life hard for the Mystics, with Felicia Jacobs (10.9), Adaora Dioramma (8.1) and Esther Kursite (7.0) all averaging seven rebounds or more per game in WNBL Division One this season, whilst Glory Kabia can be relied upon to generate offence from the guard spot.

Manchester Mystics captain Alejandra Escriva commented:

“Seeing how the team has developed as a unit throughout the season has been a rewarding experience. We are excited to have reached the Final of the Cup as it gives us a great opportunity to show what we can bring to the game.”

While CoLA Southwark Pride head coach Jackson Gibbons added: “It’s always a privilege to make it all the way through to the Cup Final. Manchester Mystics are an exceptional programme with one of the best coaches in the country in Rob Fairley and remarkable talent in their squad. We are hoping to make it a competitive game and give a good account of ourselves.”

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