Anticipation is building as a star-studded
line up of talent heads to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena for the first showpiece
event of the British Basketball calendar, the WBBL/BBL Cup Finals.
Fans will be treated to two
electrifying match ups and local pride is at stake as London Lions clash with
Leicester Riders in both the men’s and women’s matches on Sunday January
29th.
Former NBA stars Sam Dekker and Kostas
Koufos, joined by fans favourite and GB international Ovie Soko will be hoping
to clinch back the BBL Cup for the Lions, but they face up against a formidable
Riders side stacked with international talent including Patrick Whelan, Mo
Walker and Kimbal Mackenzie.
Coach Rob Paternostro’s side will be
keen to remain the kings of the BBL Cup and retain their trophy, but come up
against a formidable Lions side who head to Birmingham in relentless form both
domestically and on the European stage, leaving no doubt this is a battle not
to be missed!
The final sees a repeat of the fiercely
contested play-off finals in May, where the Riders completed the quadruple with
a late fourth quarter over the Lions. But the Lions will be back and out for
revenge, with no love lost between the two sides, fireworks are guaranteed as
these two meet again for the chance to secure both silverware and the bragging
rights in the first finals of the season.
Speaking on facing up to the Riders in
the final, London Lions starman, Sam Dekker, said:
“Leicester are playing really good
basketball at the moment. We have a great rivalry with the Riders so I’m sure
the energy will be crazy and they’ll be geared up to take us on.
“We’re really excited and proud of the
way we performed in the semi-final against Bristol. Going to the cup final is a
big deal! We’re looking to build the foundations of the Lions and we’re excited
for the opportunity in this final – we’re going to be really to roll and we’re
looking to win it.”
Leicester Riders Head Coach, Rob
Paternostro, said:
“We’re super excited, anytime you get
to a final it’s awesome! This year will be special, we’ve got a good team
waiting for us down there. I’m real proud of the guys to get to the finals,
it’s tough to get there, so you have to enjoy it when you do.
“It’s been great playing against the
Lions, I think the final last year at the 02 was awesome. But this is a totally
different team they have this year. This…
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