Globasket is an international youth basketball tournament held annually in Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, Spain. Now in its ninth edition, it is one of Europe’s premier youth competitions, having welcomed teams from over 20 countries across U12 to U18 age groups. As well as the basketball, the tournament offers players the chance to experience Spanish culture, visit Barcelona, and enjoy the beauty of the Costa Brava.

This year, Bromley Phoenix made the trip to Spain for the very first time, sending 19 players across a select U14 and U16 squad to compete against some of the best youth basketball Europe has to offer. It was a landmark moment for the club’s junior programme, and a first taste of international competition for everyone involved.

For the U14s, Globasket was a genuine eye-opener. Facing a level of competition they had not encountered before, the squad showed tremendous heart throughout. Coach Rob reflected on the experience: “These kids gave everything every single game. The level out here is different to anything they have faced before, but the way they kept competing and never dropped their heads told me everything about the character in this group. I could not be prouder of them.”

The U16s told a different story on the court, finishing with an impressive 3-2 record in a series of tightly contested games. Adapting to the European style of play was not always straightforward, but the squad rose to the challenge and their results reflected that.

“Watching this U16 group adapt and compete against some seriously strong European sides was brilliant to see,” said Coach Andy, who coached the squad throughout the tournament. “Every game was close and hard-fought, and the mentality they showed to keep finding ways to win is exactly what we want to build at this club. This trip has raised the bar for what our juniors believe they are capable of.”

Away from the court, the experience was equally memorable. The squads were based right on the beach and made the most of it, with team games on the sand becoming a staple of the trip, with a dip in the sea for the losers. Though it did not take long before everyone ended up in the water regardless. The players also took time to watch some of the other games at the tournament, and those moments of supporting each other from the sidelines played a real part in bringing both squads together as a group.

Globasket will look to become a permanent fixture in the Bromley Phoenix calendar, providing invaluable international experience to the players who come through the club for years to come.

All games from the tournament can be watched in full on the Bromley Phoenix YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BromleyPhoenixBasketball