NE Knights at 30th Eurobasket International Tournament Spain 2024
Again this year the U16 and U18 North East Knights squads travelled to the Eurobasket tournament in Lloret de Mar during the first week in July.
The hard work which began eight months ago paid off with a wonderful week of basketball and shared memories for the 54 strong group of 43 players along with a support team of 11 coaches and managers.
The initial training sessions began in November 2023 with the final trials taking place in late December. This was followed by a programme of team trainings, whole group sharpening sessions and team building in preparation for the trip to the EuroBasket 2024 international basketball tournament on the Costa Brava in Spain.
The 30th EuroBasket tournament, which ran from 30th June - 6th July 2024, was the biggest one yet with over 60 teams from 18 different countries
This is an account of the week’s events in pictures
Day 0: Saturday, 29th June - the journey
On Saturday afternoon, members of the North East Knights U16 and U18 squads,and their coaches and managers met in Dublin Airport to begin their journey to the 6-day Eurobasket 2024 basketball tournament in Lloret de Mar. Relieved that the flight hadn’t been cancelled, the group flew from Dublin to Barcelona with Aer Lingus arriving at 10.20pm local time before boarding the bus to their accommodation in the Astoria Park Hotel.
Day 1: Sunday, 30th June - Exploring & First Day of Games
All four of the teams were in action on the courts on the first day, with 4 games in total. So following a relaxing morning exploring the local area, the U16 and U18 boys had games at the same time at 4pm, playing teams from France and Italy, while both the U16 and U18 girls were in action later at 10.15pm against teams from other clubs in France and Italy.
Due to the combination of ages in the girls’ teams participating in the tournament, the NE Knights U16 and U18 girls were competing in different pools of the W07/08 category. When the U18 Girls were playing in the hall in El Moli at 22.15 on Sunday night, the U16 girls played on an outdoor court at the same venue. While the U18 boys got off to a winning start against their Italian opponents the other teams came up against extremely good teams but learned a lot during their games supported by the rest of the group.
U16 Girls cheering on U16 Boys
Day 2: Monday, 1st July - Games continue
Another very busy day, with 3 teams in action again and wins on court for the U16 Girls against a Turkish team from the Magic Hands club and the U16 boys against another Turkish side, Cnd Basketbol. The U18 boys took on Son Cotoner from Majorca. Players had some limited opportunities to avail of the rooftop pool at the hotel.
Day 3: Tuesday 2nd July - More games & Team Meals
The U18 Girls had an early start with a 9am game against French side, Nice Basket Association Ouest, and were cheered on to a win with enthusiastic support from the rest of the group. As all teams had the rest of the day free it was an opportunity for some teams to spend the afternoon at the beach while others relaxed at the hotel pool. That evening most teams got an opportunity to dress up so for their team meals – made possible by generous sponsorship received from DIGI Labels, Willie Bermingham Chimney Cleaning Services and O’Reilly Hoofcare as well as some private donations.
U18 Girls on way to game
Day 4: Wednesday, 3rd July
Another busy afternoon and evening for everyone with games at 4pm, 5.30pm, 7pm and 8.45pm followed by the official Opening Ceremony at 10.15pm.
The U16 Boys took on the MO8 team from Son Cotoner, and the U16 Girls faced the eventual winners of the W07/08 category from Bermingham. While the U16 girls didn’t win the game their superb defensive play held the older squad to its lowest score of the tournament with only 8 points separating the teams at the final whistle. The U18 boys faced a very strong team from the Bahamas – Blazer Elite - while the U18 Girls had a good win against an Israeli team – Hapoel Kaubab BC.
The day’s events finished with the official tournament opening ceremony, a celebration of all the nations and cultures participating in the 30th Eurobasket tournament in Lloret de Mar.
Opening Ceremony National Anthem
Day 5: Thursday 4th July - Semi Finals Day
U16 Girls Free throws in SF - Aoibhe
U16 Girls Free throws in SF - Isabella
This was semi-finals day with all teams in action. While the U16 and U18 boys were facing different teams from their own groups the U16 and U18 Girls each faced teams the other had played in their pools. The Bermingham 1000BC also proved too strong for the U18 Girls, but the U16 Girls had a win against the Nice Basket team to qualify for the 5V6 final the following day.
It was the turn of the U18 boys to have their team meal in the Italian restaurant beside our hotel while the rest of the group availed of the late opening hours of the hotel pool.
Day 6: Friday 5th July -Finals Day
This was finals day, and the action began at 9am when the U16 girls played the same Israeli team, Hapoel Kaubab BC, which the U18 Girls had played in the group stages – this game produced one of the most exciting finishes of the tournament with the Knights girls winning by a single point having been behind for the whole game. This left them with a 5th place finish overall in the W07/08 category – no small achievement as this group included U17 and U18 teams as well.
U16 Girls at final whistle
Later that day the U18 Girls faced Fréjus Var Basket(FVB) on the El Moli outdoor court but the French girls again proved too strong on the day.
The U18 Boys faced an Italian team – Cestistica Savonese – in the M06 1 V 2 final and, after a tough battle early on, came out worthy winners to finish the tournament as M06 Champions.
U18 Boys at final whistle
Then it was across to the Pompeu Fabra A hall for the U16 Boys M08 3 V 4 final with Turkish team, Magic Hands. Ultimately the Knights squad was defeated but not without playing some exciting fast paced basketball cheered on by the rest of the group.
AWARDS & CLOSING CEREMONY
The tournament ended later that evening with the Awards & Closing Ceremony and, along with all the other teams, the Knights contingent enjoyed every moment of the celebrations of a week filled with basketball, personal development and new friendships formed with old ones renewed.
Saturday 6th July - Home again
Happily the return flight with Aer Lingus also survived the industrial action so after a 6am breakfast it was off to Barcelona airport for the trip home and the group arrived back in Dublin a little after 1pm, when tired players were re-united with their families.
Thank You
Of course, the whole trip could not have happened without the help and assistance of a large group of people giving their time, effort and money to make it a success.
Sponsors
The NEBB Knights are indebted to the following sponsors for the financial support of the 2024 trip:
Willie Bermingham Chimney Cleaning Services
O'Reilly Hoofcare, Virginia
DIGI Labels, Mullingar & Dublin
Coaches and Managers
A huge thanks to those who volunteered their time and expertise to make it possible. As well as coaching/managing the teams in preparation for and during the tournament members of the group looked after designing and sourcing the teamwear and backpacks, booked and sorted the flights itinerary for the whole group and looked after accommodation and other logistical details needed for a project like this – thank you Tony, Brian, Tom, Stephen, Sally, Damien, Sinead, Jessica, Debbie, Caroline, Ursula and Clare.
A special word of thanks to Feargal Smyth for helping with the team building day in the Carrickdale Hotel.
Coaches & Managers 2024
Players and Parents
To everyone involved with the North East Knights since the trials began last November – players committing to training and parents making sure they got there - all that work has led to what was an amazing week for the U16 and U18 players - It couldn't have been done without all of you.
And finally – a huge thank you to everyone involved in organising and running the tournament for their hard work, friendliness, enthusiasm and all-round helpfulness – Giusseppe, Veronica, Andrea, Anita, Eric and Leo Basket to name but a few! With over 60 teams from 18 countries to coordinate with fixtures, referees etc it was a mammoth task, but the spirit of camaraderie between the staff and participants helps to make the EuroBasket experience so enjoyable to be part of.
Eurobasket 2024 Week 2 Lloret de Mar Players, Coaches, Volunteers and Staff
Thank you.