Marc Steutel has challenged his Newcastle Eagles to write their own chapter in the franchise’s storied history ahead of the Sunday afternoon Super League Basketball (SLB) Trophy final against Bristol Flyers.

That the men in black head into the first showpiece clash of the season as slight favourites is testimony to Newcastle’s status as British basketball’s most successful club.

But the landscape of the domestic game has undergone a dramatic change since the Eagles lifted the last of their 27 pieces of silverware in 2021.

And Steutel insists this weekend’s long-awaited return to the sport’s top table is all about creating a new legacy in a new era.

“When it comes to what this club’s achieved in the past, of course it’s something that we talk about and we live and breathe Newcastle’s proud history,” said a head coach seeking his first major domestic honour.

“History is something you should look back on and use in a positive way but this weekend we need to be present in the moment and create our own legacy.

“While we all recognise the incredible heritage underpinning this club, things move on, the game changes and new opportunities arise.

“During the last five to six years the landscape of British basketball has developed dramatically and there’s so much more parity in the league.

“It’s fantastic that there’s been fresh investment and teams across the board have greater resources. But what that means is that it’s become very difficult for one team to win consistently.

“All I know is that we have a chance to win silverware this weekend and we’re going down to Birmingham with one goal in mind — to bring the Trophy back to Tyneside.”

One of the most fascinating subplots at the heart of what looks like a wildly unpredictable final is the close relationship between the two head coaches.

Steutel and Flyers’ playcaller Andreas Kapoulas have helped to reshape Great Britain’s hoops set-up as part of the senior men’s coaching team.

And the duo share many of the same philosophies when it comes to playing the game.

“Coach Kapoulas is somebody who I respect greatly and the bond we share goes far beyond basketball,” said Newcastle’s head coach.

“He’s someone who I’m proud to call a friend and I really respect what he’s been able to achieve with Bristol.

“This is the Flyers’ third final and, having lost the first two, they’ll be hoping it’s third time lucky. They’ll no doubt feel it’s their time.

“But we’re going down there with a different narrative in mind. Whilst coach Kapoulas will always be a great friend, Sunday is the exact opposite.

“We’re two coaches competing for the same prize and that’s all there is to it.”

Cole Long and Darius Defoe are expected to add some height and muscle to Newcastle’s front court after missing last weekend’s heart-stopping loss against Cheshire.

But there will be no fairytale final appearance for new recruit Trey Pulliam.

Despite the club expediting the point guard’s clearance, the narrow window between his last game in Cyprus and being licensed to play Super League Basketball proved too tight to meet the deadline for Trophy Final eligibility.

That means Seneca Knight, Mike Okauru, Jordan Spencer and Josh Ward-Hibbert will once again share the playmaker duties.

And Flyers may well feel Pulliam’s absence is a potential weakness they can exploit following an impressive win against the Eagles in the south west earlier this month.

Steutel has no such worries going into the clash and added: “Energy and intent is always at the heart of this team and we’ll bring that in Birmingham.

“Win or lose we’re always competing and trying to play the right way but, at times, some of our execution could be more consistent.

“I think that’s the challenge for us — to try and make sure that we execute consistently.

“Over 40 minutes I want us to bring our defensive DNA to life and impose our will on the game.

“Do that and we can achieve our aim of winning this competition. We didn’t set out to make the final this season — we set out to win the Trophy.”

The 2025 SLB Trophy Final tips-off at 3:30pm with the action screened live and for free with DAZN on both mobile devices and smart TVs, as well as on the DAZN YouTube channel.