t’s a huge shoot-out in The Vertu Arena on Sunday afternoon when the Caledonia Gladiators arrive in Town. Officially it is a Women’s SLB Betty Cordona Group game but in reality is more like a quarter-final tie.
The reason for that is whoever wins on Sunday will advance to the final four and secure a semi-final berth. That will give the victors the chance to go to The SLB Trophy Finals Day at The Utilita Arena Birmingham on the 1st of February 2026.
The Eagles fly into the game on the back of two hard-fought away wins in the competition, a 62 – 56 win at Nottingham was followed by a 79 – 68 win in Manchester putting them in the position where a win on Sunday means they will a qualify.
Head Coach Chloe Gaynor in previewing the game started by stressing the importance of the game and how she’s emphasised that to her players.
“It’s a super important game. I spoke to the girls after practice and told them this is an opportunity to make a semi-final. For the programme I want to create a legacy of being in and around Championship contention.”
“That was my message to the team that we can set the standards for the programme and for the season and yes it is a massive game. We’re dealing with some illness and injuries.”
“But everyone that turns up on the day has to do their job and we’re fighting as much as we can on the day. They’re not excuses for us they have to be the reasons for us to play even harder.
The Eagles did actually beat The Gladiators in pre-season but that was then and this is now and Gaynor’s team will have gone a fortnight without a game when they take to the court which can affect preparation.
“We had a good game against them pre-season but teams change a lot and they get better from pre-season. This game is almost a clean slate. We were encouraged by the result in pre-season but it means absolutely nothing in terms of where we’re at right now.”
“Well play this game like we got trounced by 30 as that has to be the mentality in games like this. It has been over two weeks since we played. That’s a challenge for us. We have to make sure we’re in shape.”
“We have to have good practices even if we don’t have ten bodies in practice we have to ensure they are effective and I’d like to think we’ve done that. So Sunday is about turning up and putting on the best show that we can.”
Of course, one of the most intriguing aspects of Sunday’s match-up is the return to The Vertu Arena of former Eagles stand-out Tierra Hodges who is now the Gladiators Captain and a dangerous opponent now that Gaynor is well aware of.
“I hope there’s a good reception for her. She did a lot for the Club and I was very grateful for her leadership when I was in my transition period last year. She definitely set the standards of what we expect from professionals coming in.”
“She was a great servant for the Club in her two years but that is all left at the door when she comes in on Sunday.”
“She’s a player that plays for the other team and whilst we respect what she did for us she is someone that is in a blue jersey and is a priority for us to stop.”
One of the things that has been troubling Gaynor and her Assistant Luke Orwinis the distractions off the court in sorting out relevant paperwork to enable them to be able to field a full roster. Those issues are now thankfully behind them.
“It’s great news and we’re happy to have the team altogether and being able to play. We have picked up a couple of injuries though so we’re down in that sense. But all the visa issues have been solved and we’re looking forward to concentrating on the basketball.”
“It’s definitely encouraging. It means we can rotate more and utilise all of our weapons. I know the girls have been eager to play so I’m really excited for them and that they get the opportunity to officially make their debuts with the team as a whole.”
So, the keys to the game and what Gaynor thinks her team need to do if they are to get the win they so covet enabling them to come through a tough group and make that much sought-after semi-final.
“We know what to expect from Caledonia. They have a very clear style of play and always have done. We have to stop them in transition and they have weapons inside and out.”
“It’s about limiting their transition points making them play in the half court. We want to play our style of basketball. Their defence is very aggressive so we don’t want that to take us out of what we want to do.”
“We have to push the pace and combat their aggressiveness and use that to our advantage. It’s also about knowing the scout. We had a slow start against Manchester purely based on the fact that the team were not doing what we said we would do.”
“They as players and we as coaching staff identified that and turned things around. It’s about reinforcing those messages in the locker room before the game and the girls are fully focused and committed to following that.”
“Each individual player needs to make sure that they know the scout inside and out and what we’re doing on each play and we don’t get off to a slow start. We have to throw the first punch. I think that’s going to be very important and key for us.”
It’s certainly a very much anticipated game and a mouth-watering contest in prospect. The action tips off in The Vertu Arena at 5:30pm on Sunday.
