EuroCup Women's final: History-making London Lions going for glory and breaking boundaries

Temi Fagbenle and the London Lions are expecting a sell-out crowd for their EuroCup final second leg against Besiktas

"When I was growing up I had to look a certain way that wasn't me. Now girls can wear whatever makes them feel comfortable and still ball out, be aggressive and fight - I'm living in my time now."

Despite her talent and love for the game, Temi Fagbenle didn't like the "masculine" image basketball was viewed in as an upcoming player.

The 31-year-old is part of a history-making London Lions side preparing for the EuroCup Women's Final, having become the first British team ever to reach the final stage of a European competition.

Born in Baltimore but having grown up in Hendon in London, Fagbenle has gone on to captain Great Britain and in 2017 became the first Briton to win the WNBA.

After playing across Europe in Spain, Italy and Turkey in an illustrious career, Fagbenle plans to move back to the United States at the end of the season, but she hopes to secure the EuroCup trophy and improve the pathway for girls in schools first.

"I remember as a young kid not wanting to be viewed as a masculine basketballer, but I think [that view of the sport] is changing," Fagbenle said.

"I'm already 6ft 4ins, let's not add muscles and all of that into the mix.

"I love the change that has occurred where girls can just be themselves, wear their [eye]lashes, play with their short shorts or wear whatever they want to feel comfortable - look good, feel good, play good."

As well as European glory, the Lions are chasing a third straight domestic title in the Women's British Basketball League (WBBL).

The club's hopes of a double European final were dashed as the men's team suffered a 2-0 aggregate semi-final defeat against Paris, losing 93-85 at the Copper Box on Friday.

'Why not end this season with a bang?'

Shanice Beckford-Norton plays as guard for the London Lions, who may not be playing European competition next season

Since losing their first match of the season, a qualifier to get into Europe's premier club competition the EuroLeague, the Lions have won all 26 games across domestic and European basketball. They sit second in the WBBL with three games in hand on league leaders Caledonia Gladiators.

Having finished top of their group, the Lions convincingly beat Lointek Gernika Bizkaia, of Spain, in the round of 16, before overcoming Turkey's Melikgazi Kayseri in the quarter-final.

They then beat Umana Reyer Venice, of Italy, to become the first British finalists in a European competition and Fagbenle said it would be the "cherry on the top" to win a European championship in London.

She added: "This is going to be the first and last year I'm playing here so why not end it with a bang?"

The Lions face three-time Turkish league champions Besiktas in a two-leg final, travelling to Istanbul for the first leg before hosting the second at a near sold-out Copper Box, in Stratford.

The team with the higher aggregate score across the two legs will win the trophy.

General manager Vanja Cernivec has warned her Lions players to expect a huge home support in Istanbul and captain Shanice Beckford-Norton said the players will relish the opportunity in Turkey and London.

"It's massive, I've heard some of the other teams in the league are coming down to support us so that's where our rivalry goes out the way," the 26-year-old guard said.

"It's been a long journey for this club and this team and we're so pleased to be able to have so many people backing us.

"They're a very talented team and they have some superstars like we have, but I think we have a deeper bench and we're ready, so I hope they are too and I hope we put on a fantastic show for women's basketball as well."

Support for the Lions has grown to a point where the players regularly spend up to 45 minutes signing autographs after home games, something Cernivec was not seeing when she first arrived.

She believes the team's success can help continue to grow the sport in the UK and also improve the standards of the league and coaching in the country.

"The players are best friends, they have great chemistry and on the court it's like they're reading each other's minds," Cernivec, who was the NBA's first female scout in her role at the Chicago Bulls, said.

"The final is such a big moment for us and we're ready to bring the trophy home and make another note in the history of British basketball."

An uncertain European future

London Lions Women general manager Vanja Cernivec was the first female scout in the NBA during her time with the Chicago Bulls

The team's achievements this season have come under a cloud of uncertainty with owners 777 reportedly due to pull the club out of European competition next year due to a lack of funds, even if they end the season as EuroCup champions.

The men's team will continue to compete at that level, however.

"Personally I feel disappointed, I can't say anything else," Cernivec added.

"Yes, I'm very hopeful [that the funding situation changes], seeing this team and the growth of the game it would be a shame to let it go.

"So I'm hopeful people will change their minds and that we can continue."