GB hold on to qualify for EuroBasket 2025
The Great Britain Senior Men sealed their EuroBasket qualification as they held on for a 73-69 win over Netherlands on the road on Friday evening.
GB watched Yannick Franke’s game-tying three point attempt come up short as Gabe Olaseni hauled in his 14th rebound of the night to seal the victory and send GB back to the premier international continental competition.
Olaseni added 18 points for a double-double, Amin Adamu had 13 points and Carl Wheatle had 10 on a rough shooting night for GB, as they shot just over 31% from the field but were able to compensate by going 24/29 at the line.
Carl Wheatle dribbled off an Olaseni screen to hit a huge three with 50 seconds remaining to put GB up 68-67, before Tarik Phillip hit a mid range jumper to give GB a 3-point cushion with 14 seconds left.
An ill-advised foul from Olaseni on a three-point attempt put Netherlands back at the line but they missed the first, and GB were able to hold on and make their free throws down the stretch.
“It feels great,” Olaseni said afterwards.
“So many guys stepped up today, Amin with big threes, Carl with the big three, Tarik’s defence, so many guys, the list is long of everyone who played well today. I’m just proud of the guys and happy that the young guys that will get to experience the tournament as it’s a great environment.
“It was extremely stressful. I thought we made it a lot harder than it had to be but like usual our defence was the difference in the game. To come into a hostile environment, play against a good team…I thought we played pretty good defence overall and our offence just got us over the line at the end so I’m proud of the guys.”
GB were dealt a blow by losing Quinn Ellis to an ankle injury in the third, but came together to get it done.
“The game described perfectly how Great Britain basketball is,” Wheatle said after the game.
“It’s gritty, it’s hard nosed, it starts with our defence. We’re an aggressive team, we wanna put pressure on our opponents, and we find ways. As an underdog we find ways in hostile environments to bring the best out of each other and find ways to win. We’re really happy with the outcome.”
Franke led Netherlands with 22 points.
Despite both teams struggling to find the bottom of the basket, GB jumped out to a 13-0 lead after seven minutes before Netherlands woke up, as the visitors held a 20-14 lead heading into the second.
With Myles Hesson hampered by foul trouble, Netherlands fought back as GB led by just two, 31-29 at the halftime break.
A three-pointer from the Netherlands to open the third game their first lead of the game, but a rejuvenated GB side – sparked by the return of Hesson – started causing trouble for the home team.
Ellis rolled his ankle and was force to the bench with three minutes to play in the third, before an unsportsmanlike foul called on Tarik Phillip allowed Netherlands to regain the lead, 50-49, setting up a thriller of a final period.
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