BBL CUP 2003/04

The BBL will not be participating in the EBL National Cup in season 2003/4.
The competition is run by the English BasketBall Association and talks between
the BBL and the EBBA over limits on import players broke down in late August 03.

Press Release – 19 September 2003 BBL CUP DRAW ANNOUNCED
The British Basketball League (BBL) has made the draw for the first two rounds of the BBL Cup today. The BBL Cup is to be straight knock-out through four rounds featuring all BBL member clubs. The first two rounds of the competition will be held at club venues, with the semi-finals and final being held at a neutral venue. The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday 29th November at the National Sports Centre in Crystal Palace. The Final takes place at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on Sunday 11th January.

The open draw for the competition saw four teams drawn in the first round, with the remainder receiving a bye.
“The BBL Cup will enable the BBL member clubs to play in four tournaments as they normally do each season,” said Chief Executive Mike Smith.

The full draw is as follows:
1st Round
Sunday 26 October 2003
Westfield Sharks Sheffield v Brighton Bears
TCS Chester Jets v Newcastle Eagles

Quarter-Finals
Saturday 8 November 2003
Leicester Riders v London Towers
Birmingham Bullets v Thames Valley Tigers
Sunday 9 November 2003
Milton Keynes Lions v Sheffield/Brighton
Scottish Rocks v Chester/Newcastle

Personal opinion: wouldn't it have been fairer to reward the two teams through from the 1st round with a home tie in the Qtr-finals?

Semi-Finals
Saturday 29 November 2003
(NSC Crystal Palace)

Final
Sunday 11 January 2003
(NIA Birmingham)