Up 6, down 1 on aggregate with 22.4 seconds left on the clock.
Holly Winterburn hits the biggest shot in British basketball history to put the Lions in a position to win their first-ever European tournament. London Lions defeated Turkish giants, Besiktas to win the 2023 Women’s EuroCup tournament.
There’s much to be said about their journey to the top.
The organization received backlash from fans after parting ways with some favorites who dedicated so much to the team’s growth over the years. The ladies have been flawless so far, winning everything in the domestic league including two quadruple seasons in 2022 & 2023 but the goal was made clear at the start of this season — to conquer Europe.
And they did - THE FIRST BRITISH TEAM TO WIN A EUROPEAN TITLE
Their male counterparts fell in the semi-finals against rivals, Paris basketball who went on to win the championship. Nevertheless, the team had a record season and put UK basketball on the map alongside other teams like Caledonia Gladiators, Newcastle, and Bristol Flyers, all of whom competed in Europe.
But then — a shadow looms over the women’s game.
Miami-based 777 Partners, the investment firm that owns the Lions made the heart-wrenching decision to withdraw the team from European competition next season, despite their unprecedented success. This comes as no surprise as the financial implications of running the organization while holding a major stake in the domestic league can be overwhelming.
They spent a lot of money on the Lions organization and league by bringing in high-caliber players and investing in a total rebrand.
Yet, as painful as the decision is, the goal is to create a sustainable structure that provides the ideal opportunities within a thriving industry.
It may be the last dance for now, but the deafening cheer of a thousand fans after the final whistle at the Cooperbox is a sign that the dawn of a new era is near.
L-R Head Coach Stella Kaltsidou couldn’t hide her emotions after the historic win, Fans loved every moment of the win
We hope that this place in history will create a paradigm shift in British basketball with many victories off the court, as well as on it. There’s a lot still to be done, but for now, let’s enjoy this one.