Youngbloods Sultan represents England U15s in Copenhagen
Youngbloods Player Sultan Adewale from the Under 14 Boys Premier Division side was one of 12 players selected to represent the England National Basketball Team at Under 15 Level recently in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Copenhagen Invitational Tournament 2018.
Friday 15 June 2018
The Boys started the day with a bang as they beat Kenya 87-77 in the opening round of games. After some understandable early nerves, Coach Pena Garcés’ team grew into the contest against the African side and pulled away to a comfortable win in the 2nd half. They couldn’t continue that form though as Belgium’s TopSportSchool VBL knocked England’s record back to 1-1 after a 50-62 final score later in the day.
The competition in Denmark provides annual international exposure at an early stage of the performance pathway, with the ability to play against other countries and other styles of basketball providing an important step in the development process. That development does come in a competitive environment, but it is certainly the primary focus.
Saturday’s schedule sees the Boys play against one of the Danish sides, Denmark White, at 9:30 am (8:30 am UK time) with the Girls taking on defending champions Csata DSE from Hungary at 9:00 am (8:00 am UK time). Those contests will complete the group stage of the competition before classification games begin tomorrow afternoon.
Saturday 16 June 2018
England’s sides won three games out of four on a successful Saturday at the Copenhagen Invitational Tournament. Both teams played their final group game in the morning before classification games began in the afternoon.
For the boys, they managed to stay perfect on the day and took both their games comfortably. An early 85-52 win over Denmark White meant a 2-1 record in group H and a date with Berlin BBV in the 5th-8th classification game. Coach Pena Garcés side was once again on song in that one, easily dispatching the German side 90-36 and rarely looking troubled.
After the pair of victories in this afternoon’s classification games, both teams now know their schedule for tomorrow. The boys looking to lock up 5th place against American club team Global Sport at 11:45 am UK time.
Sunday 17 June 2018
The Copenhagen Invitational Tournament wrapped for 2018 with both England sides acquitting themselves well across the three-day event.
The boys were unable to make it two from two though as they lost a nail-biter to American club side Global Sport. With England leading 16-8 midway through the 1st quarter, a fire alarm rather unexpectedly called a halt to the game and England were slow to get going after the stoppage. Still, they were able to secure a 3-point lead at the main change as they tried to end the tournament on a high. The Americans wouldn’t go quietly in the second half as they slowly moved into a lead of their own, hanging on down the stretch for a 71-74 scoreline.
The final placings saw the boys coming in 6th. It has been an excellent tournament as both sides have grown, developed and taken the opportunity to get better both on and off the court.
