The BKT EuroCup is back at the Copper Box Arena for this season as the London Lions’ new era has started under ownership of Lithuanian tech hub Tesonet. After losing their opening two matches in the competition, the Lions ignited their campaign with an 87-71 win against Italian outfit Dolomiti Energia Trento on October 16.
The Sabonis legacy arrives in London
The tournament has made a return to London after last season’s absence due to the club’s uncertain financial stability. The tech start up venture Tesonet put pen-to-paper and acquired the Lions in a multi-million pound deal.
The Lithuanian connections doesn’t stop there with the club signing 33-year-old Tautvydas Sabonis to manage the side for the 25-26 season. Sabonis is an individual who carries basketball history in his veins – with his father the legendary Arvydas and his younger brother Domantas a current three-time NBA all-star.
EuroCup: The gateway to Europe’s elite
The EuroCup, which is the second tier of European competition and feeds into the EuroLeague, has been running since 2008.
The EuroCup has been a formidable essence for the Lions’ growth as well as raising a fan base in the capital. The 2023-24 season saw the Lions reach the semi-finals and enjoy what is considered the most successful European campaign by any British men’s team in history.
That run paved the way for UK basketball in promoting its visibility as well as drawing in funding. The core fans are delighted to see the stars in action once again in the EuroCup and the match-up against Trento didn’t disappoint.
London Lions edge Dolomiti Energia Trento
The Lions went on to win 87-71 via a really impressive first quarter with the hosts scoring 29 points to Trento’s 16. That continued in the second quarter as they dominated that period 26-8 to lead 55-24 at half-time.
However, after the break is where their inexperience showed as Trento slowly edged their way back into the match winning the third quarter (24-16) and fourth quarter (23-16) but the Lions held on to record their first EuroCup win this season.
Trento coach Massimo Cancellieri was seen constantly animated on the sidelines expressing his frustration with him post-match adding: ‘We didn’t show up in the first half’.
On the flip side Sabonis was emotional in the locker room with the team being extra-animated in celebrating their first win of the season.
Lenz Balan’s vision: Building a basketball identity for London
During the half-time break, TIBS News caught up with Lenz Balan, CEO of London Lions, who discussed British culture, Lithuanian influence and all things basketball.
Balan has been with the club since 2021 and was previously vice-president of 777 Partners who owned the London Lions prior to Tesonet. Balan has been the epitome of success for the Lions with him striking successful partnership deals along the years and he feels the Lithuanian influence at the club will have an everlasting impact and will bring success to the capital.
‘They are basketball people, they are really passionate so that plays a big part and I am really excited about coach Sabonis coming in,’ he said of Tesonet.
‘We have aspirations to play against the top teams in Europe, whether that’s Real Madrid or Barcelona. We have a ton of work to do but I think we are starting to sort of build that representation of London in the basketball property.’
On a personal note, the American felt the move to the UK for him was ‘seamless’ adding: ‘I think there’s so many interesting connections between the UK and the US, most British people are surprised when they find out how into UK culture Americans are.’
What’s next for the London Lions?
With the EuroCup now successfully back in the English capital, it will be interesting to see how the London Lions go about their campaign and whether the new ‘brand’ at the club has a successful influence.
