Flyers hope for club history in SLB Trophy final

Bristol Flyers were beaten last time they reached the Trophy final in 2020

Bristol Flyers hope their "resilience" and "togetherness" will lead them to their first major piece of silverware in the men's Super League Trophy final on Sunday, said head coach Andreas Kapoulas.

The Flyers are celebrating the 20th anniversary since the team was founded this season and will play Newcastle Eagles in front of more than 8,500 fans at Birmingham's Utilita Arena for the title.

Special edition blue T-shirts have been made for Flyers fans to wear at the final to mark the occasion.

"It would be an incredible way to mark the anniversary," Kapoulas told BBC Points West.

"I've been here from the very beginning, through every division, to the top flight, to the European competition. We've celebrated some amazing moments, and we've faced a lot of challenges, and we're incredibly proud of what we've done.

"To be able to win a trophy and bring it back to Bristol is going to be right up there."

This is the second time Bristol Flyers have reached the Trophy final - previously known as the BBL Trophy. The last time was in 2020 but they were beaten by Worcester Wolves.

The Flyers won three and lost three of their six group games to finish second in the southern group and earn a place in the final four of the competitions in early December.

They went on to beat Cheshire Phoenix twice across the two-legged semi-final to book their spot in Birmingham this weekend.

Kapoulas believes the team has developed a lot since their last final and is better prepared.

"I think we are more experienced. I can speak for myself; I know a lot more of what's coming up on the day and what are the things that stopped us from being able to lift that cup last time," Kapoulas said.

"We have a resilient group. Going into the final we just want to be ourselves. The team that has managed to get to the final, we want to be that team."

Bristol-born Corey Samuels has come through the Flyers' age-groups to the professional team

Bristolian Corey Samuels, who plays as point-guard, has been part of the Flyers programme for more than 10 years and played through their youth teams before joining the professional side.

"If you had to write out a movie script, I believe this would be the year that we win, hopefully this will be the year that we win," Samuels said.

"I feel ready, I know the team feels ready so it's time to make this thing happen."

The Flyers also go into the final having beaten Newcastle Eagles 98-94 only two weeks ago in the league.

Power forward Owen McCormack, from North Carolina, joined the team this season and said, however, there is "added pressure" as the club seeks to end its silverware drought.

"Since being here and knowing that we've never won, something is a little added pressure, but I'm ready for it," he said.