BBL: Finalist ready for Wembley show down

The BBL Championship play-off final returns to Wembley Arena on Sunday when Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders face Newcastle Eagles.

It will be the first time since 2002 that the climax to the season returns to the capital, and Eagles’ player-coach Fabulous Flournoy is ready for the big game.

“This cannot be a game where you lack focus because it’s the last game of the season and all eyes are watching” he said. “We’re back at Wembley in front of a sell-out crowd and I’m sure it will be a fantastic occasion.”

The last time the play-off final took place at Wembley, Chester Jets (now Cheshire Phoenix) defeated One Health Sharks Sheffield 93-82 to complete a memorable clean-sweep season, and the previous season saw Flournoy in action at the same venue for the Sharks as Riders won 84-75 in the title game.

Flournoy still remembers the loss with the Sharks: “it’s ironic it was against Leicester, so I guess I owe them one, but I always want to win every game, anyway.”

Riders’ coach Rob Paternostro admits that playing at Wembley gives the game an extra edge: “It’s the first trip there for all of us and it has a nice ring to it.

“Talking to a lot of our supports about last time when Riders won the title there, they all commented on what a great atmosphere there was and what a good place for basketball it is.

“We’d have been excited about getting to any final, but playing at Wembley is an added bonus.”

Both of Sunday’s finalists have London-born players in their starting line-up, with Molten BBL MVP Drew Sullivan expected to play a key role for the Riders, and centre Darius Defoe so often the unsung hero for the Eagles.

“I’m looking forward to playing at Wembley” said Defoe. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to my friends and family yet, but I expect a lot of them will be there. It should be a great final.”