Date Time League Season
October 16, 2024 4:30 pm ENBL 2024-25

Newcastle Eagles must flick the switch to ‘European mode’ and prepare for a bruising battle in Slovakia this week after suffering a first domestic loss of the season.

That’s the challenge thrown down by Marc Steutel as the men in black prepare to lock horns with Spišski Rytieri later today.

Newcastle’s return to European North Basketball League (ENBL) action follows hot on the heels of a disappointing defeat at Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday.


But an upbeat Steutel said: “This is a really hard working, really honest, and really gritty group.

“I’m sure that they’re going to bounce back and want to get back on the floor.

“The team has to switch to European style basketball now and the unique challenges that come with that.


“That includes a long period of travel and 40 minutes of basketball against a very good Spišsky side that utilises its scorers very well.

“They play a lot of isolation to see whether they can create advantages and we’ll have to be really solid defensively again.”

Spišsky sit third in Group A of this season’s ENBL competition with a 1-1 record.

The Slovaks bounced back from a heavy loss to Valmiera Glass VIA to claim a nailbiting 91-87 win against Tartu.


But Steutel is determined that the Eagles get this season’s ENBL campaign off to a flier after claiming a playoff spot last season.

“For some of the guys, it’ll be their first taste of European basketball and, stereotypically, the physicality that comes with that.

“So we have to prepare for a battle out there and to try and impose our style on the game.

“In our first year we finished with a 5-2 regular season record and got to the playoffs.

“We want to go further this year. That’s definitely our goal.”

The third of four games in eight days — three on the bounce on the road — will be a true test of Newcastle’s mettle.

Spišski have moved into second place in Slovak basketball’s Extraliga with an impressive 4-1 record.

A narrow win at the weekend against Patrioti Levice was largely thanks to Dylan Frye, Dwayne Cohill and Dibaji Walker as the US trio combined for 49 of the host’s 87 points.

But Steutel is relishing a new test against fresh ENBL opposition.

“When we entered Europe we wanted to try and make sure that this is a part of our programme for years to come,” he added.

“It needs to be a consistent part of what we can offer to our players and our supporters and I want to give a massive shout out to everyone in our front office who’s played a part in returning the club to Europe.”

Steutel will be without the sidelined Will Neighbour in Slovakia, while new crowd favourite Mike Okauru is nursing a slight knock.

Several banged up Newcastle players were assessed in the wake of Sunday’s loss at the Phoenix but Steutel added: “We always knew this would be a tough period of the season and the guys have to stay focused and play with the same intensity every night.”

This afternoon’s clash (4.30pm GMT tip) is available to watch live and for free via the ENBL YouTube channel.