Mansfield Giants make the English Basketball League play-offs

With one more fixture outstanding between London Westside and Glamorgan Gladiators, England Basketball decided the result would be ‘void’ due to the game not being played within the specified dates, meaning Giants will now go onto play league champions Newham NASSA Neptunes on Sunday in London.

Head coach Dan Richards said: “We are absolutely delighted about the news.

“The guys have really come together over the last five weeks and we definitely deserve a crack at the play-offs.”

The task at hand will not be easy as the two teams have met three times already this season, with the Neptunes winning on all three occasions comfortably.

The in-form Giants know anything is possible in a play-off encounter and a home tie in the play-off semi-final will make a win extra special.

Richards added: “If we are going to win we are going to have to at our very best.

“They have got quality players such as Steve Vear and Karolis Stepanavicious, but also their role players have a lot of experience at a higher level and all know what it takes to win.

“We cannot really just focus on one or two players and that’s what makes them tough to beat because any one of them could step up on their day.

“We will prepare and do our very best but what ever happens on Sunday, I’m really proud of our team the way we have finished off the season,”

The Giants are taking a spectators bus down to the game but places are running out fast.

If you would like to travel down to the game please contact 01623 650770 or email [email protected] for more information.