The Copper Box Arena will once again host European basketball on Thursday night as the London Lions make their long-awaited return to the EuroCup, facing off against Montenegrin side Budućnost.
For the Lions, this marks not just the beginning of another continental campaign, but a statement of ambition for the club and for British basketball as a whole. After a year away from the competition, Lions CEO Lenz Balan admits the moment is charged with emotion.
“When the club looked like it was facing some difficulties before we were able to get it rescued, that was a very emotional time for me,” he reflected. “Then getting into the EuroCup took an enormous amount of time and effort, making sure we convinced EuroCup that we’re able to do it, and finding ways to accommodate that with our league schedule.
“Right now on the eve of the game we’re just a little bit nervous. We would love to have a tonne of fans there, so we’re hoping everybody comes and supports us because this is a big, historic moment for the club.”
That sense of history is not lost on the Lions’ leadership. In recent years, the club has worked tirelessly to establish itself as a powerhouse at home while flying the flag for British basketball on the European stage.
The return to EuroCup is both a milestone and a challenge. “I just feel grateful, optimistic, and as I do before every game—especially EuroCup—a bit nervous, but it’s amazing to be in this position,” Balan added.
A Roster Built for the Big Stage
Much of that optimism stems from the roster the Lions have assembled this season. General Manager Martynas Purlys and Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis, alongside their coaching staff, have crafted a team that blends international experience with homegrown talent.
“This group has some big shoes to fill in terms of what we were able to do in the past, but we’re very confident in this team,” Balan said. “The first thing that’s obvious is they’re a group of real professionals. They’re all bought in. They all care. We’ve got a lot of really talented players who can play at this level and the next.”
That mix includes returning British standouts like Mo Soluade and Tarik Phillip after a year away from the club, alongside new additions Deane Williams, Evan Price and Amin Adamu, joining the club’s already established British cohort in SLB MVP Aaryn Rai, Ovie Soko, Ciaran Sandy and Matt Goodwin.
Combined with experienced imports who have played across Europe and beyond, the Lions believe they have the depth and versatility needed to compete at the highest level.
Raising the Level of British Basketball
For Balan, the Lions’ participation in EuroCup is about more than club success—it’s about raising the standard of the domestic game. He points to the growing European involvement of other SLB clubs, such as Manchester, Bristol, and Newcastle, as evidence of a wider upward trend.
“I think it’s incredibly important for us to be competing across all the European competitions as a league,” he explained. “As a league, we’re improving every year, and playing in European competitions further fuels that improvement. You’ve got to have better rosters, you’ve got to retain the best British players, and you’ve got to find good import talent. What that does is it makes our domestic competition a lot better.”
The Lions’ return, then, is not just about one team—it’s about showing that British basketball belongs in Europe’s elite competitions, and building a foundation for more teams to follow in years to come.
Eyes on the Playoffs—and Beyond
Ambition, however, remains at the heart of the Lions’ EuroCup campaign. “We want to be competitive. We certainly want to be a playoff team, and then see where we get from there,” said Balan.
“There’s no point in playing this competition if you’re not trying to win it. From my perspective, we’re trying to win it all, but first things first—the focus is on making a great start. Let’s start by trying to get a W on Thursday and march our way into the playoffs.”
For London Lions fans, Thursday night will be more than just the opening game of the EuroCup season. It will be a celebration of resilience, growth, and ambition. The roar of the Copper Box will echo beyond London, sending a clear message across Europe: British basketball is here, and it’s here to compete.