Since February 2020, the Great Britain Men’s team has enjoyed some of their best moments at Newcastle’s Vertu Arena.
In eight international games played in front of one of the most passionate basketball cities in the country, GB have beaten established nations such as Greece, Czechia and the current FIBA EuroBasket champions Germany at the home of the Newcastle Eagles, with a record of 4-4.
And as Marc Steutel’s side prepares to play its ninth game at the North East basketball hotbed on Friday 27 February – against Italy in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers – we look back at the key moments of GB’s Newcastle adventures.
24/02/2020: Great Britain 81-73 Germany – FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifier
It was a magical beginning to life in Newcastle’s new arena for Great Britain as they claimed the scalp of the mighty Germany in a FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifier.
Luke Nelson amassed 26 points and four assists, with Ovie Soko chipping in with 18 points and 10 rebounds, in an unforgettable 81-73 win against a team that went on to become world and European champions.
Germany might have had Dennis Schroder, Mo and Franz Wagner unavailable, but they were still talented in depth. Andreas Obst was the only German player to score in double figures, as he went for 24 points.
25/11/2021: Great Britain 78-69 Greece – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier
After a slow start, GB rallied to outclass Greece in the second half, outscoring their opponents 45-31 for a 78-69 victory.
Teddy Okereafor stole the show with 19 points and four rebounds, as he went a perfect 4/4 from three-point land. Tarik Phillip, now of the London Lions, added 16 points and five rebounds.
Dimitrios Agravanis led Greece with 19 points and eight rebounds, as they were without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
03/07/2022: Great Britain 71-85 Türkiye – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier
After going unbeaten in their first two games at the Vertu Arena, GB lost to European powerhouse Turkey 85-71.
Myles Hesson pulled down a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Great Britain, who found Shane Larkin in devastating form, as he led Turkey with 22 points and six assists.
28/08/2022: Great Britain 80-87 Latvia – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier
In a game that could have gone either way, NBA big man Kristaps Porzingis proved the difference as Great Britain were unable to contain him, allowing Latvia to secure an 87-80 win.
Both teams enjoyed the lead in various stages by as many as eight points, but even though Myles Hesson had an exceptional all-round game for 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Porzingis was outstanding.
He led the way with 29 points and 14 rebounds for Latvia.
11/11/2022: Great Britain 68-74 Serbia – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier
While GB showed tremendous promise, they were unable to break down Serbia, who came away with a 74-68 victory.
Despite the game featuring six lead changes, Serbia held on to it from the seventh minute of the second quarter, as Dusan Ristic bagged 15 points and 11 boards.
Gabe Olaseni led all scorers for GB with 20 points and seven rebounds.
24/02/2023: Great Britain 59-88 Belgium – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier
It was a tough night on Tyneside for Great Britain, as they lost 88-59 to Belgium, in what was a much-changed GB side.
Four players made their debuts, and nine of the 12 had played fewer than five times for the national team, allowing Belgium’s experience to shine. Jonathan Tabu had 15 points.
In his first game as team captain, Carl Wheatle fronted GB with 15 points, supported by Amin Adamu’s 14.
23/02/2024: Great Britain 98-94 Netherlands – FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier
After a run of four straight losses in Newcastle, GB returned to winning ways with a 98-94 victory over the Netherlands.
The home team enjoyed the lead for the vast majority of the game, peaking at 21 points before the Dutch mounted a desperate late comeback that proved too little, too late.
Myles Hesson shot a fantastic 7/8 from the floor for his 23 points, with Akwasi Yeboah adding 17. Keye van der Vuurst led the Netherlands with 23 points and nine assists.
24/02/2025: Great Britain 96-75 Czechia – FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier
Great Britain capped off a successful FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifying campaign with a resounding 96-75 victory over Czechia in their most recent game played at the Vertu Arena.
Jubrile Belo had 21 points in 23 minutes as the Brits put on their most complete performance, having qualified with a win in the Netherlands three days before.
Former London Lions guard Vojtech Hruban paced Czechia with 16 points.
Great Britain tip-off against Italy back in the Vertu Arena on Friday 27 February. Tickets are available from the Newcastle Eagles Box Office.
