Hey,

Another week in the bag, most of which has been taken up by writing the bid for the Hoopsfix Foundation's first funding application. Deadline is tomorrow and we should find out by January - fingers crossed! Meanwhile, the seating has finally arrived for Clapham Common - should be fully installed by next week.

This week's 3-pointer:

🇬🇧 GB Senior Men split games

GB tipped off the window with a big come from behind victory over Greece on Thursday night in Newcastle - the team's first win over Greece since 1984 - and despite taking the momentum into the game against Turkey with a strong start, ultimately fell to defeat to split their games.

❌ U20s canned

The men's window was a little overshadowed by the Friday revelation there will be no Under-20s programme next summer, after the BBF opted not to enter the teams into the European Championships due to a lack of finances. GB Head Coach Marc Steutel and captain Dan Clark expressed their anger in the post-game presser in Istanbul, whilst many other members of the GB team, along with fans, took to social media to vent. It is a monumental failure by the federations - the BBF and home country associations alike - to both a) not have the finances (I'm told the figure is £80,000) b) not communicate it earlier to look for alternative solutions. At what point do people say enough is enough?

🦁 Lions suffer tough defeat in Belgium

After their comeback fell agonisingly short in Belgium, the Lions women awaited on results from other games to find out their EuroCup Women playoffs fate and as of about 10 minutes ago, with the basketball gods shining down on them, they have qualified for the playoffs, where they will take on #1 seed Bourges!

That wraps up another week, as always, hit reply with any thoughts, questions or anything else.

With gratitude,

Sam

P.S. Check out the BBL Top 10 Plays from Week 9 of action!