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Vince Macaulay leads Lion London Champions League dream to show British Basketball can compete in Europe

Getty Images
Getty Images

London Lions head coach Vince Macaulay is preparing to lead his team into the unknown: a potential route to their first-ever Champions League campaign.

The British basketball side were accepted by FIBA to enter the Champions League qualifiers earlier in June, becoming the first London club to play in European competition since the turn of the century.

They travel to Bulgaria to play Lithuanian side Neptunas Klaipeda in the first qualifying round on Tuesday, with either Balkan Botevgrad of Bulgaria or Belrus’ Tsmoki-Minsk awaiting them should they prevail.

And while the 2020-21 domestic season begins from October 2 with the commence of the BBL Cup, with League games to tip-off on November 13 following last season’s cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lion’s focus is now solely on European success.

"We feel well prepared, I believe that we have the tools to give ourselves a chance,” Macaulay told Standard Sport.

“It has been a long time coming, many of us have worked for many years towards this goal.

“We are not unsure about how hard the task at hand is, we have recruited some very talented players with a motivation for what is ahead, trying to win on the road will be hard but we believe.”

To put the daunting task facing the Lions into context, you only need to take a brief glance at the recent history of British basketball in European competition.

It was only two seasons ago that fellow Brits Leicester Riders found themselves in the opening round of the Champions League qualifiers. Indeed, they held their own, narrowly falling to a one-point defeat to Dinamo Sassari of Italy. But they were ultimately knocked out in the first round, failing to win a single match in the process.

Additionally, the last London club to compete in Europe was the London Towers, who came out win-less in the 2000-01 EuroLeague season.

However, in reaching the qualifiers, Macaulay believes the Lions have recorded a “special” achievement, insisting they have an opportunity to represent British basketball as a whole.

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

“No team has made it into the Champions league proper from our shores,” he said. “In fact, no team has won a competitive match against a European team since the Brighton Bears almost 21 years ago.

“This is very special for British Basketball and we know many people are supporting us in this quest.

“We want to show that British Basketball can compete at this level and make this a level we become accustomed to.”

In an effort to close the gap to their European counterparts, the Lions have been active in the the market, signing former NBA guard DeAnndre Liggings while, importantly, two-time MVP Justin Robinson has signed a new contract with the club.

In addition, they announced the highly exciting singing of Kevin Ware in August, a player who has played professionally in Finland, Czech Republic, Greece and Canada, while also bringing in Kingsley Okoroh, Dirk Williams and former junior player Chris Tawiah.

The array of new talent have been provided with ample opportunity to accustom themselves to their new team, with the Lions recently partaking in a four-match pre-season tour across Belgium and Denmark.

“The trips we have made in pre-season have helped us gel,” Macauley said. “We have travelled together, stayed together and competed in four very tough games.

“It is a good bunch of guys with plenty of experience and I think the guys all buy in to the collective goal and are well aware that a single focus will be needed.”

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images

The Lions’ main man Robinson, a two-time British Basketball League MVP, is also desperate to provide a statement that British basketball is no joke.

The 32-year-old - who has a wealth of experience on his side after carving out a reputation as one of the continent’s top talents - admits he cannot wait to get back on the European stage.

“It feels amazing to be playing in the Champions League qualifiers,” he said. “It’s a great chance for us to make history and show people that British basketball is legit.

“It’s amazing to be playing back at a high level in Europe again - it should be fun!

“The team is feeling really positive at the moment. We’ve been working so hard, grinding each and every day.

“I think the testing friendly matches we played has prepared us well, and guys that have come in have bought into what we’re trying to achieve here.”

Team selection: Justin Robinson, Kevin Ware, Stephen Brown, Andre Lockhart, Ed Lucas, Dirk Williams, DeAndre Liggins, Josh Ward-Hibbert, Joe Ikhinmwin (Captain), Byron Mullen