It’s a huge game for both sides on Friday night in the Vertu Arena as the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks are in town to face the Newcastle Eagles in a crucial Super League Basketball Trophy group game. The two teams meeting for the fourth time this season.

The other three were in the SLB Championship where the Sharks hold a 2-1 advantage over their Friday night hosts. But perhaps Newcastle hold a slight advantage. Seven days ago down in Sheffield, Head Coach Marc Steutel’s side getting a great 80-68 road victory.

Steutel’s charges followed that up with an excellent 79-76 win at Caledonia in their first Trophy game last Sunday. That means if they can beat Sheffield on Friday they will qualify for the semi-finals of a competition that they are the holders of after beating Bristol in the Final in Birmingham last season.

In previewing Friday’s clash Steutel referred to the importance of the game and the competition to Newcastle.

“We know that Sheffield represent a huge challenge for us on Friday. They will be coming back at us and wanting some revenge for last week. The three times we’ve seen them it’s been a close game every time.”

“It is a tester and what I’ve said before about this league that every single game is tough and there are no longer any easy match ups like they perhaps used to be in the past.”

“We’re really looking forward to Friday and hopefully we can steal a win against Sheffield and maybe progress on to the semi-finals of a competition we love. We love the Trophy and we all know our history in the Trophy.”

Last weekend was massive for Steutel and those players that he was able to get on court. With injuries and being short-handed it was a great achievement to take two wins and Steutel was full of praise for his players.

“I was really proud of the guys they gave everything they had for the club for the cause and for each other. We’re looking forward to getting back on the floor this week. We are trying to get guys healthy as we build towards the next challenge.”

It may even be game day itself before Steutel will fully know who is available to him to take on the Sharks. But whoever he has he knows they’ll give their all as they try to hold on to ‘their’ Trophy. He and those who will suit up also know all about Sheffield after playing them three times already.

Sheffield themselves have injury doubts of their own and may not run a full roster. But whoever turns out for either side its going to be a battle royale as the stakes are so high and the rewards for the winners so profitable and important.

Tip-off as ever at the Vertu Arena on Friday night is at 7:30pm with Newcastle expecting a big home crowd to spur them on in a much anticipated encounter.