It’s a Bonfire Night spectacular for the Newcastle Eagles as they tip-off their second European North Basketball Group stage game in Greece on Wednesday night against Iraklis BC of Thessaloniki. It promises to be a cracker of a game in a white-hot explosive arena that will test Marc Steutel’s men.
Both teams have already played one game in the competition with very varying fortunes. The Eagles going down at home to Dziki Warszawa 91 – 68, the biggest ever loss in The ENBL. The Greeks on the other hand had an impressive first ever entry into the competition with a debut win on the road.
They went to Latvia to take on Riga Zelli and came away with a very good 78 – 69 victory built on 24 points from point guard Justin Wright-Foreman, 18 points and 7 rebounds from fellow American DJ Funderburk and 9 points, 6 rebounds from another USA import Lance Ware.
But perhaps the best performance came from Captain and Greek International Shooting Guard Dimitris Moraitis who filled up the stats sheet with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals showing real leadership qualities throughout.
Iraklis domestically have not started so well in the top-flight of Greek Basketball. After gaining promotion last season they have been competitive but not successful as they have only won once and lost the other four of their first five league games.
They are also likely to be without star USA guard Chris Smith who is suffering from a knee injury sustained a few weeks ago. However, they will have one new face in their ranks if only on the sidelines.
They have made a change at the Head Coach position with Serbian Zoran Lukic coming in to replace Giorgos Sigalas and this will be the Serbian’s first game on the sidelines coaching his new charges. That could add extra impetus to a fired-up Greek squad.
Coach Steutel has been on the sidelines in Greece for a game whilst in charge of the GB National Squad and is well aware of the passion and noise a fanatical home crowd can bring. His experience in that respect will be invaluable as he looks to get his side back to winning ways.
That loss at home to Dziki Warszawa is one that is included in a run of six losses in a row. The other five coming in SLB Championship games. Steutel has made changes to his roster most notably Brett Reed leaving and guard Deion Hammond plus forward Gus Okafor coming in.
Both are still acclimating to life in England with The Eagles but both have shown real signs of promise with what they’ve offered so far. With veteran Captain Darius Defoe returning to the court after a long-term injury Newcastle are starting to take the shape their Head Coach wants them to establish.
There’s no doubt though that any game in Europe on the road in midweek is always a tough venture. Steutel will hope that the travel and being together can help to bond his side as they look to get back to winning ways in a competition where they finished runners-up last season.
