Newcastle Eagles men’s side tip-off their Super League Basketball (SLB) home season on Friday night in the Vertu Arena at 7:30pm with a tough match-up against a strong Bristol Flyers outfit.

The Eagles looking to bounce back after Sunday’s close 84 – 76 loss at London Lions.

Despite the defeat to the all-conquering Lions in their opening SLB Championship game Head Coach Marc Steutel took a lot of heart and things to consider from the game.

“We were positive for large parts of the game. Defensively we really asserted and played with great force on the defensive end”, said Steutel.

“London are always a physical team to play against, but we found a way to match their physicality and sometimes be the aggressor with it. So, our defence was really positive for large parts of the game.

“Ultimately, we had a short period in the game where our execution could have been better. That was probably the biggest factor in the game. We’ve had a chance to learn from it, review it and work through it on the practice floor.

“Hopefully, we can take steps forward as a group going into this Friday’s game against Bristol. The guys have been great, professional and have a desire to fix some mistakes. Which is important to try and do all that we can to try and get the right outcome on Friday.”

It certainly will not be easy for Steutel’s players. Bristol have already shown in the two games they played last weekend that they are a good well put together basketball side. They opened with a last-shot defeat at home to London 80 – 78 and then went to Cheshire on Sunday.

That ended in a tremendous 101 – 92 road win for the Flyers against a Phoenix side always tough to beat on their own court. Steutel is well aware of the task ahead.

“Bristol had a really solid weekend. They are probably feeling good about themselves”, Steutel added.

“I think Coach Kapoulas and I are the two coaches that know each other inside and out. We have to be diligent and detailed with us committing to our game plan and I’m sure we will.”

“We have to find a way too do the things that Bristol do well and try to limit them and we think we can exploit them in certain areas. We’ve got to make sure we play an Eagles basketball game with Eagles DNA.”

“If we do that and with an incredible home crowd hopefully, we get the right outcome on Friday night.”

There is always an excitement around an opening competitive home SLB Championship with a new team coming together and a new bond to be forged between new players and that loyal Eagles fanbase.

It is an intriguing prospect to see if Newcastle have got their recruitment right and will have the firepower and ability to sustain a competitive and successful season. Friday night against Bristol Flyers will be an early indicator of what is to come.

Tickets are still available on the box office and on the door.