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Team Nook went 4/24 from three, and I'm guessing arrows was hoping to get more shots off inside

I was a little surprised my team shot so many, especially with the good offensive flow rating which suggests my team passing should have been good enough to get better shots. Although I think quite a few of them came towards the end of the game when we were trying to make a later comeback. My team shot only 43% on 2 point attempts, which is way worse than Tide of Fire. They have some special players and their salaries and ratings don't do them justice.

I think the main thing that surprised me was how little the exhaustion effect was. I guess Vecx's players have high stamina which helps them, but his main guy (Le) played every second up until I think around 1:30 to go and was still effective.

Nevertheless this is the furthest they've ever got in the tournament, and perhaps they'll get another shot at it in the future.

Very happy with getting this far in the cup. I guess the draw had been on my side until the semi-finals but still had to beat some very good d2 teams to get here. My team is still on the way up, I'm sure this won't be the last time I get to the semi's or even further.

Good luck to both teams in the final.

The playoffs are here! Here is what the situation is across the EBBL and division II:

EBBL
The EBBL may see a first time champion this season as Arsenal 98 dominated the regular season with a 21-1 record. Another potential first time winner, Hope Springs, topped the Great 8 with a 18-4 record as they look to make the finals for the third season in a row. Their title runs won’t be easy though as reigning back to back champions Tide of Fire will be looking for a 3-peat. The London Whales will also be looking to go 1 step further than previous season as they have lost in the conference finals 2 seasons in a row to Hope Springs, but they will first have to win an away tie against EBBL newcomers Team Nook who beat them to the 2nd seed in the Great 8.

Bergkamp and Arsenal 98 begin their playoff run with a home game against promoted side Roaring Lions who finished with a 12-10 record. Arsenal 98 did beat the Lions in the final game of the season 106-82. The first matchup of the season also saw an Arsenal win 87-65. The Lions will be hoping NT stars Simon Redding and Ad Cassell can cause an upset.

The other Big 8 tie sees the winners of the previous 3 EBBL titles Tide of Fire and Optic Fibres face off. The season series between the teams is tied 1-1 with Tide of Fire winning the first matchup 80-59 but Fibres winning their home leg 88-84. Tide of Fire have already won silverware this season as they won the cup and will be hoping to do the double this season.

Over in the Great 8, the battle for the 4th seed was won by Stinkilemons, and they will face the top seeded Hope Springs. Hope Springs did win both games between the two this season, the most recent matchup by 10 points. Stinkilemons under went a big rebuild of their squad at the start of the season so a playoff spot is a big achievement in itself, maybe they can pull off the upset.

The 2 vs 3 matchup sees this season’s surprise team Team Nook battle at home against the highest salary team London Whales. The Whales won the first matchup between the two by 1 point, but in the recent matchup Team Nook won 94-77. Whales will be looking to NT big Dexter Barral to lead them back to the conference finals for the third time in a row.

The relegation series this season see two of the most successful teams face off in the 6 seed matchup. LIDLTALLFELLAS face off against last seasons cup winner BC Zalgiris. LIDLTallfellas have been in the EBBL since season 7, but have had a difficult season. BC Zalgiris started the season strong but have fallen off as the team has lost key players. Zalgiris did win the season matchup 85-50 but have lost every game since.

MexicanTaxiDriver will be looking to use home court advantage to survive in the battle between them and St Purple & Greens. There was only 1 win difference between the teams which suggests these teams are well matched. MexicanTaxiDriver won the only matchup between the two 107-86.

The final relegation battle sees 12-10 Leeds City Ballers face off against the 4-18 Cambois Donkeys. Leeds were as high as the 2nd seed as we came down the final stretch of the season but 6 losses in 8 games saw them fall out of the playoff picture. An injury to guard Daryl Tracey which derailed their season but he is back ready for a relegation battle.

Former EBBL champions Durham Wasps and kotwa finished as the 8 seeds and fall in to division 2.

Division II.1
Galaxy Walkers once again finished the season with the best record in division II.1 with a 20-2 record. They will face another former EBBL team in new jersey2 who snuck in to the final playoff spot by 3 points over Galloway. new jersey2 were actually one of the teams to beat the Walkers in the season and will be hoping they can do the same again and cause a round 1 upset.

The other big 8 playoff tie sees last seasons EBBL team Los Mikitos face off against Rythern Reapers. Los Miktos will be looking to bounce back to the EBBL at the first time of asking. Los Mikitos won both regular season games against the Reapers, including on the final day of the season.

Over in the great 8, long time division 2 team Detroit Pistons I finished as the top seed with a 18-4 record and will matchup against the cup semi-finalists Hurstead Hustlers. The season series between the two teams was 1-1 so this game could go either way.

The final playoff matchup sees Scunthorpe Devils battle Reds BC. Scunthorpe won both home and away against Reds BC this season and will hope to make it 3 out of 3 in the playoffs.

Division II.2
Bromley-By-Bow and Bethnal Green Erks have both bounced back from relegation to top their respective conferences, with Bromley leading the division with a 21-1 record.

Bromley will face AJDM Arena in the 1v4 matchup. Bromley should feel pretty confident coming in to this tie as they win both regular season games by an average of 16 points. But anything can happen in a 1 off game.

The 2v3 game sees T20 Cricketers battle Borac Basket. T20 have dominated the season series against Borac, winning by 27 in the first matchup and 45 points in the second. Borac will be looking to English guard Ronnie Halley to give them a chance on the game.

In the Great 8, Bethnal Green Erks start off their playoff campaign against cup finalists Lancaster City. Lancaster will be hoping their 1 game knockout experience can help them cause an upset. Bethnal won both game this season comfortably and will hope to do the same again.

The last division II.2 tie sees Gophers face Porzigod. The season series between these was 1-1, with the home team winning comfortably each time. Gophers will be hoping for the same result this time.

Division II.3
Bournemouth Drunkers claimed the top seed in division II.3 on points difference with a 20-2 record, tied with MILF Hunters.

Bournemouth Drunkers will start their playoff run against Midnight Stallions who finished with a 14-8 record. The Drunkers won both games by a combined 42 points and will be looking for another comfortable win.

MILF Hunters will also be looking to push for promotion and they start their push against Kauno Zalgiris 7 BC, who finished with a 17-5 record. MILF Hunters won both games between the teams this season so will feel confident they can progress.

In the Big 8, PONTIOPOYLA led they way with a 19-3 record, and will face Coventry Phoenix in the first round. PONTIOPOYLA beat Phoenix both times this season, but Coventry have the talent to produce a shock in a 1 off game.

The other Big 8 tie sees 2nd seed BC Snaiperiai face 3rd seed M Dogs. The two games between these two have been won by a combined 7 points, but both in Snaiperiai’s favour. This could be a playoff classic.

Division II.4
Camden Kings guaranteed their promotion to the EBBL by being the only team to finish with a 22-0 record in division II. But I’m sure that won’t be enough and they’ll want to win the title as well. They start their playoff run against Club Deportivo San Andres who finished with a 15-7 record. The latest game between the two was a 2 point win for the Kings, so anything could happen between the two this time.

The 2v3 matchup in the Big 8 sees the 17-5 Whetstone Wizards face the 16-6 BC Newmarketas. The Newmarketas did beat the Wizards by 15 points in their most recent matchup, but the Wizards did win the other game at home by 10 points. This looks like it could be a close game.

In the Great 8, Gauson finished as the top seed with a 20-2 record. They will face the 9-13 Pleven North End in the first round. Pleven have had an up and down season which saw them go through a 7 game losing streak in the middle of the season but has bounced back to end the season with 4 wins from their last 6 games. Gauson will be hoping they can push for the title and promotion back to the EBBL.

The other playoff tie in division II.4 will see CWA Fury face Expatriots in the 2v3 matchup. Expatriots did win the previous game by 11 points and will be hoping that momentum will get them another win, but CWA Fury will be ready for the battle.

As always, there is 1 team that wins promotion without winning the playoffs. This goes to the top seeded team with the best record not to win the playoffs. For this season, here is all the top seeded teams and their records in order.

22-0 Camden Kings PD 905
21-1 Bromley-By-Bow PD 832
20-2 Bethnal Green Erks PD 907
20-2 Bournemouth Drunkers PD 777
20-2 Gauson PD 762
20-2 Galaxy Walkers PD 509
19-3 PONTIOPOYLA PD 448
18-4 Detroit Pistons I PD 584

As Camden Kings have the best record, even if they fail to win their playoffs they will earn promotion.

At 21-1 I should be pretty confident, but going through tactics & lineups last night I just felt none of them are a good option and I feel I know nothing :D Probably just nerves and overthinking but maybe it's a gut feeling and I should be worried...we'll find out later.

Good luck to all in their playoff/relegation games.

Round 1 of the playoffs is complete and the conference finals are upon us. Here is a rundown of what happened in round 1.

EBBL
Arsenal 98 continued their strong season with a 98-85 win over Roaring Lions. Guard duo PG Kim Bujalska and SG Alexis Gaganiaras combining for 46 points. The Lions were led by 21 points from C Ad Cassell. Lions’ other NT star PG Simon Redding struggled, shooting 5-17 for 14 points.

Last seasons champions Tide of Fire beat 3rd seed Optic Fibres 101-84 behind an outstanding 36 points from SF Cai Nam Quoc. Nam Quoc shot an efficient 8-14 from 3 on his way to 36 points. He was well supported by SG Victor Cullen who added 23 points on 9-12 shooting (5-5 3FG). Fibres PF Elias Bailon top scored with 21, with SF Ian Needham adding 20.

Arsenal 98 will now face Tide of Fire at Highbury looking to end Vecx’s quest for a 3-peat and domestic double. Tide of Fire were the only team to Beat Arsenal during the regular season and will be hoping for the same result this time.

Over in the Great 8, Hope Springs started off their quest for a 3rd straight finals appearance with a 78-58 win over Stinkilemons. SG Przemyslaw Gasecki led the way with a game high 24 points with support from SF Gergely Szatvari with 16 and off the bench from PF Yiorgos Kakoulakis who had 18. Bennie Torrato led the way for Stinkilemons with 22 point but no other player scored in double figures.

The 2v3 matchup saw Team Nook come out on top against London Whales 116-103. Nook’s perimeter dominated the game, combining for 88 points, PG Walther Werdt leading the way with 33 points along with 9 assists. Whales had more of a balanced attack with 6 players scoring in double figures.

Team Nook now stand in Hope Springs’ way to the final. The season series was tied 1-1, with Hope winning the most recent matchup 92-79.

Leeds City Ballers scored 142 points in the first relegation matchup against Cambois Donkeys. They were led by NT star SG Magdaleno Banuelos who had a monster 57 points on 18-27FG, 7-8 3FG and 14-14FT shooting. Donkeys NT player PF Bart Leavy-McCarthy had an impressive 40 points on 15-26FG (6-8 3FG) but the Donkeys’ defensive effort let them down.

In the other 5v7 matchup, MexicanTaxiDriver beat St Purple & Greens 104-92. MexicanTaxiDriver had 7 players score between 10 and 18 points in a complete team effort. The Purple & Greens NT player PF Clint Franks fouled out after only 21 minutes which may have been costly in the result.

Game 2 for both series sees the home teams needing to win to survive.

In the 6v6 seed relegation we saw a 50-0 forfeit as long time EBBL team LIDLTallfellas became inactive after 50 consecutive seasons in the top flight. It looks like BC Zalgiris will survive.

Division II.1
League leaders, Galaxy Walkers, picked up a 103-87 win over new jersey2 behind 42 points from PF Alekis Spakovskis. New Jersey2’s guard tandem of PG Unalaska Mukherjee (39 points) and SG Junior Gonzales (25 points) performed well but it wasn’t enough.

Los Mikitos used a 26-12 4th quarter to complete the win against Rythern Reapers 92-76. Los Mikitos were carried by a 26 point, 17 rebound effort by PF Randulf Rewitz. English guard Iain Gameson had 32 points for the Reapers but it wasn’t enough.

The big 8 conference finals sees Galaxy Walkers face Los Mikitos. Walkers won both games between the sides this season and will hope to make it 3.

Detroit Pistons I defeated cup semi-finalists Hurstead Hustlers 113-100. The Pistons front court scored 68 points, led by a 12-16 shooting night from PF Aart-Jan Zeegers. The Hustlers hit 12 3 pointers in the game but came up short.

The final division II.1 playoff game saw the first away victory as 3rd seed Reds BC beat Scunthorpe Devils 123-81. Reds BC had 8 players score in double digits, led by 28 points from SF Richard Fullerton.

The Detroit Pistons did beat Reds BC in both regular season games this season, and a third win would see them reach the finals.

Division II.2
Bromley-By-Bow lived up to the top seed with a dominant 126-47 win over AJDM Arena. English forward Jon Catty outscored AJDM by himself with an incredible 69 points (lol) on 31-54 shooting. AJDM shot on 20% FG and struggled the whole game.

In the big 8 2v3 tie T20 Crickters came out on top in a battle between T20’s front court trio and Borac Basket’s wing duo as all 5 players scored 20+ points. The T20 trio combined for 74 points while the Borac duo combined for 58.

T20 Cricketers face a tough tie in the conference finals against the impressive Bromley-By- Bow. Bromley are looking to make a return to the EBBL at the first time of asking.

Over in the great 8, we saw the biggest shock as 4th seed (and cup finalist) Lancaster City defeated the 20-2 Bethnal Green Erks 84-77. SF Norvic Sorilla top scored with 34 points in the win. Bethnal saw a monster 20 point, 33 rebound effort from C Mark Voytenko but it wasn’t good enough.

In one of the most intriguing ties, Gophers came out on top against Porzigod 98-87. Gophers were led by PG Dante McShane with 31 and SF Jiao Lianjie with 30 points and a combined 23-36FG. Porzigod had a 21 points, 12 rebound double-double from PF Sertac Goksever but fell short.

The season series between Lancaster Ciry and Gophers was tied 1-1 with Lancaster winning the latest matchup 108-87. Lancaster may be proving to be a 1 game specialist after their cup run.

Division II.3
PONTIOPOYLA overcame Coventry Phoenix 121-109 in their first round matchup behind 104 points from 4 of their starters. The PONTIOPOYLA bigs combined for 59 points on 26-45 shooting which proved too much for Coventry. Coventry were led by star PG Ling To Wai with 29 points, but their defence wasn’t good enough to slow PONTIOPOYLA down.

In another high scoring affair, BC Snaiperiai beat M Dogs 121-114. SG Hamza Kutsal impressed with 42 points for M Dogs but the balanced attack of BC Snaiperiai was too much. BC Snaiperiai had 5 players score 18 points or more in the win.

PONTIOPOYLA will be looking to go one step further than last season by reaching the finals against BC Snaiperiai, a team they’ve beaten twice already this season.

In the great 8, Bournemouth Drunkers matched expectations as they defeated Midnight Stallions 118-86. The Drunkers shot an efficient 53% FG to cruise to a comfortable victory.

The other 20-2 team in division II.3, MILF Hunters also cruised to a first round victory as they beat Kauno Zalgiris 7 BC 97-75. MILF Hunters saw backup PG Vico Lachswehr top score with 20 points, but it was the defensive effort that made the game comfortable.

The two best records in division II.3 face off in the conference finals as Bournemouth Drunkers face MILF Hunters. The season series was tied 1-1 but MILF did win the most recent game by 19 points so may feel they have a good chance of an away win.

Division II.4
The 22-0 Camden Kings continued their unbeaten league campaign with a 107-92 win over Club Deportivo San Andres. SG Jevgenijs Vuls top scored with an efficient 24 points on 12 shots for Camden. PF Ling Swee Heng did have a 20/10 double-double for Club Deportivo but they shot only 25% from downtown which may have cost them.

In the 2v3 battle, Whetstone Wizards came out on top with a 115-91 victory over BC Newmarketas. The Wizards shot 50% FG on their way to 115 points, led by 12-20 shooting from C Voicu Parvu who had 26 points and 14 rebounds. 5 of the 7 Newmarketas players scored in double figures but it wasn’t enough to win.

Whetstone Wizards will be hoping to hand Camden their first defeat of the season in the conference finals.

Gauson rolled passed Pleven North End 99-78 behind 37 points on 16-23 shooting from PF Kelvin Kilgore. Pleven North End didn’t help themselves as they had 18 turnovers in the game and shot a poor 1-11 from behind the arc. C Gianantonio Costantini had a solid 30 point night but the rest of the team struggled.

Another former EBBL team CWA Fury dominated the 3rd seed Expatriots 108-68. PF Marcus McClendon had 21 points and 18 rebounds for the away team but CWA were far too strong. 6 Fury players had double figures, led by backup SF Paulo Malta with 27 points in 27 minutes.

Two former EBBL teams battle out in the great 8 conference finals as Gauson and CWA Fury will face off. The season series was tied 1-1. Gauson will be hoping their home crowd can push them to the finals.