GREAT BRITAIN HOST SLOVAKIA IN NEWCASTLE IN AUGUST

Great Britain Men return to the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle for their opening home game of the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 pre-qualifiers.

Marc Steutel's side welcome Slovakia on Sunday 30 August (5pm tip-off), with another sell-out atmosphere expected on Tyneside.

GB begin their Group E campaign away to Switzerland on 27 August before returning home to face Slovakia. The qualification campaign continues with international windows in November and February.

Newcastle Eagles season ticket holders will have priority access to tickets from 5pm on Friday 31 July, before general sale opens at 5pm on Saturday 1 August.

Tickets are priced from £19 for adults and £13 for children.

The GB programme has found a home in Newcastle. We have been able to make it an incredible fortress for the national team,” said head coach Steutel.

"The team is in a period of welcoming through a lot of new faces, whilst still developing continuity and relying on the experience of our group, all of which makes it an exciting time for the programme.

"We know the pre-qualifiers are going to be a really difficult competition and we know Slovakia are going to pose a real threat. So we urge all of the British basketball community to come out and support the national team.

"It’s great timing, taking place just before the new SLB season begins. We hope that Eagles fans and supporters from clubs up and down the country can be here to cheer on the team.

"The brilliant crowds we have seen for our tip-offs at the Vertu Arena before have helped the programme get some important wins in the city, and we’re looking forward to another special night."

Why is Vertu Motors Arena GB's spiritual home?

Since February 2020, the Great Britain Men’s team has enjoyed some of their best moments at Newcastle’s Vertu Motors Arena.

GB have beaten established nations such as Greece, Czechia and the current FIBA EuroBasket champions Germany at the home of the Eagles.

And as Steutel’s side prepares to play in the North East again, we look back at the key moments of GB’s Newcastle adventures.

24/02/2020: Great Britain 81-73 Germany – FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifier

It was a magical beginning to life in Newcastle’s new arena for Great Britain as they claimed the scalp of the mighty Germany in a FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifier.

Luke Nelson amassed 26 points and four assists, with Ovie Soko chipping in with 18 points and 10 rebounds, in an unforgettable 81-73 win against a team that went on to become world and European champions.

Germany might have had Dennis Schroder, Mo and Franz Wagner unavailable, but they were still talented in depth. Andreas Obst was the only German player to score in double figures, as he went for 24 points.

25/11/2021: Great Britain 78-69 Greece – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier

After a slow start, GB rallied to outclass Greece in the second half, outscoring their opponents 45-31 for a 78-69 victory.

Teddy Okereafor stole the show with 19 points and four rebounds, as he went a perfect 4/4 from three-point land. Tarik Phillip, now of the London Lions, added 16 points and five rebounds.

Dimitrios Agravanis led Greece with 19 points and eight rebounds, as they were without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

23/02/2024: Great Britain 98-94 Netherlands – FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier

GB bagged a 98-94 victory over the Netherlands in a thrilling encounter to begin their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifying campaign.

The home team enjoyed the lead for the vast majority of the game, peaking at 21 points before the Dutch mounted a desperate late comeback that proved too little, too late.

Myles Hesson shot a fantastic 7/8 from the floor for his 23 points, with Akwasi Yeboah adding 17. Keye van der Vuurst led the Netherlands with 23 points and nine assists.