Basketball: Threat to Towers plan

London Towers will announce plans on Monday to build a 5,000-seat arena in Brent Cross, but the project may come too late to save their place among the Continent's élite in the Euroleague.

London Towers will announce plans on Monday to build a 5,000-seat arena in Brent Cross, but the project may come too late to save their place among the Continent's élite in the Euroleague.

Towers lost all 14 games in this season's competition and their place is under threat after yesterday's meeting in Barcelona, where Europe's 16 leading clubs revealed plans to cut the Euroleague from 36 to 24 for the initial stages.

Towers have been unable to bridge the gap in finance, fanbase and talent between countries on a par with England and the European powerhouses, Italy, France, Spain and Greece. They have now switched to the second stage of the North European League and lead their semi-final group.

Tonight at Crystal Palace they play the Polish club Polonia Warbud, who beat Birmingham Bullets 101-81 at Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

While Europe's élite continue to attract the most lucrative TV and sponsorship deals, Towers must now hope that a proposed second tier will find room for them.