Newcastle Eagles produced a string of stunning performances in Europe as they became the first British team to reach the ENBL Final – losing 82-95 against CSO Voluntari.

It was a run to the ENBL Final that many Newcastle Eagles supporters could never have envisioned – defeating reigning champions Bakken Bears and Dziki Warszawa in the process.

However, the Eagles fell to the sword in the final as facing the Voluntari proved to be a step too far despite a brave battling performance.

Time to panic?

Since the crushing defeat on April 9, the team that resides on Tyneside has struggled to regain momentum in the SBL regular season as they look to clinch a playoff spot. They have lost back-to-back games against the ever-improving Manchester Basketball and the dangerous Sheffield Sharks.

Has the agonising European heartbreak suffered in Slovakia broken the team’s confidence or is this simply just a moment in time for British basketball’s most successful franchise?

To suggest that the Geordies have become a victim of their successes would be too simplistic. An injury to key player Seneca Knight has posed head coach Mark Steutel a serious dilemma as he looks to implement a quick transition offense.

Steutel told Simon Rushworth at newcastle-eagles.com “Seneca picked up an injury during last Wednesday’s final and it got worse during the next 48 hours.”

According to Rushworth’s article, it is still unknown if Knight will return to full fitness before the curtains close on the regular season on April 27 against Cheshire Phoenix.

Still room for optimism

Despite losing nine of their previous 10 match-ups, there is still room for optimism at the Vertu Motors Arena as their roster contains one of the most feared players in Super League Basketball – Mike Okauru.

Okauru has battled with his own injury issues in recent months resulting in a concerning dip in form. ‘Magic Mike’ only managed four points in Friday night’s disappointing defeat to Manchester Basketball.

Nevertheless, the explosive American guard still leads the league in points per game (18.2) and will be hoping that the shots will start falling before the commencement of the post-season – something that the Eagles are still yet to qualify for.

Trey Pulliam is another fantastic American talent who is gracing the North-East with moments of poetic ball handling when acting as the primary option.

His smooth movements as he glides passed opposition players to drive to the basket is a sight to behold – Pulliam currently averages 11.3 points per game whilst shooting an efficient 54.6% from the floor.

If the Newcastle Eagles can get their star trio back to full fitness and clinch a spot in the playoffs, they have the ability to assert themselves as treacherous opponents to any franchise they lock horns with.