London United finishes their 2017/18 European campaign

London United have finished their involvement in EYBL competition for this season.

Last weekend marked the end of United’s involvement in EYBL competition this season. United participated in both U17 and U20 age categories. Due to their previous International experience our older players had a far more successful campaign.  United recorded two precious wins against Stellazzura (Italy) 92:81 and King Szczecin (Poland) 78-70. In the majority of games our young Londoners followed the same script being able to compete with their European counterparts for the first three quarters with the opposition able to increase the pressure in the last stanza to claim victory. This situation is clearly a result of our relatively short bench and lack of European experience among the majority of our players. The situation was not helped by the fact that our starting point guard Afra Khalil was prevented from travelling due to passport issues. However, there were also very positive aspects of our European escapades with standout performances from several United players. Elias Poorman led the entire division in the efficiency category, he was 4^th top scorer averaging impressive 22.5ppg  and perhaps even more impressively 7^th top rebounder (playing as a point guard) collecting 8.9 rpg.

In the younger age category we have to treat this year’s European campaign as a very demanding learning curve and come back next year significantly improved both physically and mentally. Our U17 team lost all their games. However we recorded individuals performance from players such as Kevin Szczawinski [6^th top scorer with 15.38ppg] and Will White [10^th top scorer with 14.14ppg].

Coach Szatkowski was very honest in his assessment “First and foremost I simply don’t believe that we can create a professional players without giving them extensive European experience. So no matter what results we have achieved this year we have to continue our policy of providing our players with close contact with the rest of Europe. Having said so we have to be much better next year both individually and as a a team. When we talk about individuals we must mention Elias Poorman who was simply phenomenal and was definitely noticed by several European large clubs.”

 
EYBL 2017/18 Season results:

U20
BCM Orli Prostejov-London United 95:68
Oxygen Orange 1-London United 105:75
London United-Nyiregyhazi Sportcentrum 73:74
London United -King Sczczecin 78-70
Keila KK-London United 106-84
London United ROSA Piotrowska Radom 42:97
STP Sttellazzura -London United 81:92
London United-Hensfort Przemysl 88:120

U17
Chromik Zary -London United 49-90
London United-Emmen Eagles 74-71
London United-USK Prague 51:116
BK Komarno-London United 92:73
London United-BC MuKi 34:92
BC Megveri -London United 74-50
London United-KK Feniks 2010 81-91
London United-Spanish BA C.B. Ciudad De Mostoles 60-112