Towers aim to miss Moscow

Basketball

London Towers can still avoid a midwinter trip to Moscow if they win next Wednesday's final game in their European Cup qualifying group against Marc Kormend in Hungary, writes Richard Taylor.

Wednesday's 71-58 victory over Podgorica, of Yugoslavia, guaranteed London fourth position in the group and a place in the last 32 knock-out stage. But unless London can beat Kormend, currently third behind group winners Verona (Italy) and second-placed PTT Ankara (Turkey), they will have to face Saratov.

Victory will condemn the Hungarians to a trip to Moscow and earn London less formidable opposition - Torpan Pojat of Helsinki.

London fell back on resolute defence for Wednesday's win as the Yugoslavs recovered from 17 points down to trail by just five. Kevin Cadle, London's coach, said: "Our offence became stuck in the second half, but we defended consistently and took away their penetration."

Leicester Riders' American centre, Justin Phoenix, is the Budweiser League player of the month for November. Tom Hancock, Newcastle Eagles' coach, has claimed the coach's award. Phoenix is the League's second most accurate shooter, scoring from almost 70 per cent of his shots.