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17 February 2026  3 min read

Great Britain Men's roster confirmed for Italy double-header

The window begins with a home game at Newcastle’s Vertu A on 27 February and concluding with a return trip to Livorno on 2 March.

GB and Newcastle Eagles head coach Marc Steutel has made no secret of what this window means to him and his players - and he’s challenged this group to rise to the occasion.

He said: “Regardless of who you play there is always an immense feeling of pride and the culture we’ve built with this group is that we all put our best foot forward regardless of who we’re playing because we’re representing our country, which means the world to us.

“We’re all 1–1 going into this window, so it is a huge opportunity for us to take advantage of and put ourselves in the best possible position.”

Steutel’s emphasis on pride, preparation and seizing the moment is exactly what this team will be looking to embrace as they enter camp - blending experience and energy as they prepare to compete against one of Europe’s most respected programmes.

Leading the squad on court will be captain Carl Wheatle, who knows Italian basketball incredibly well, and spoke of the challenge he expects from this window’s opponents.

“They have a new coach, which is a challenge for them and for us, but he is very well respected and has had significant success at club and international level,” he said.

“They’ll still be trying to find their identity with him but for us we know who we are, how we can be successful and how we want to play. If we can stick to our principles, we’re in a strong position to secure two wins.” 

This roster has been built with balance and versatility in mind - a blend of seasoned internationals and rising talents ready to make their mark on the World Cup qualifying stage.

Head Coach: Marc Steutel
Assistant Coach: Alberto Lorenzo
Assistant Coach: Jackson Gibbons
Assistant Coach/Analyst: Adam Sewell
General Manager: Dan Clark
Physiotherapist: Toby Welch
Team Doctor: Markos Reissis
S&C Coach: Duncan Ogilvie

Fans will be crucial to the team’s energy in Newcastle — where the Vertu Arena promises a passionate atmosphere on 27 February. Tickets are on sale now and moving fast, so secure yours and back GB as they take on Italy in front of a home crowd.

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