Media playback is not supported on this device
| BBL Cup final: Newcastle v Glasgow |
|---|
| Venue: Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Date: Sunday, 15 January Tip-off: 15:30 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website |
Having presided over 18 of Newcastle Eagles' British Basketball League honours, head coach Fabulous Flournoy says the fear of failing to keep up that record is a major motivation.
Eagles can clinch the 25th piece of silverware in their history at Sunday's BBL Cup final against Glasgow Rocks.
It would also be their third triumph in a row in the competition from six final appearances in succession.
"It's the fear of being unsuccessful," Flournoy told BBC Look North.
"Every time we don't win something, it's always - what went wrong? It's doom and gloom and people saying 'The Eagles aren't what they were before'.
"I like to be tested and I want our team to be tested."
Familiar foe
Media playback is not supported on this device
This weekend's final in Birmingham is a repeat of the 2015 showpiece when Newcastle beat Glasgow 84-71 and recorded an emphatic clean sweep of trophies.
The Eagles players could be forgiven for becoming blasé about their final appearances, but Flournoy said everyone knows the significance.
"It's a final and needs no sensationalising," the 43-year-old added.
"It's special for us, special for them, both teams will be motivated and that's what it is. It's a huge occasion but that doesn't detract from what we've done in the past.
"It's not the biggest or best one, none of them are, they're all special and all have their own identity for what it means to everyone."
Sweet memories
One way in which the Eagles have kept their team fresh is with subtle additions to a settled squad.
While regulars such as Rahmon Fletcher and Drew Lasker remain key personnel, young talent such as Joe Hart have come in to add their hunger for honours to the mix.
Hart, 23, moved to Tyneside after a stint in Spain most recently with Araberri.
"I'm incredibly excited," Hart said. "The last time I played at this venue was an under-16 international for England against Ireland.
"Last year my team won the play-offs. played in a couple of high school state finals but this will be the first time in England."
Fifth time lucky for the Rocks?
Media playback is not supported on this device
Eagles coach Flournoy described opponents Glasgow as "there or thereabouts" in the quest for success, with eight consecutive defeats in finals since winning the play-offs in 2003.
Their head coach Sterling Davis has been involved with the Rocks since 2006, after stints at Sheffield, London and Brighton.
"We've got a lot to be motivated for," Davis said. "We're in a good position, so we need to focus on what's in hand for us and continue to improve.
"I feel good about it. I saw a lot of progress at the weekend, regardless of the result, we were getting back to the form we had before.
"We have a great group of guys and in big situations they will step up. We want to seize the opportunity and hopefully it works out our way."
Head to head
- Newcastle have lost just one of their previous 16 games this term, while the Rocks have been beaten in three of the past four.
- In the last five years, the Eagles have finished first or second in 17 of the 20 BBL tournaments they have played in, winning 10 of them.
- Three of Rocks eight finals defeats were to Newcastle - in 2006, 2007 and 2015.
- The Rocks have lost their last 17 games against the Eagles in all competitions, a run that dates back to April 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment