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Contact UsPromotions Cup 2002, Malta Robbins wants Cup nested in Wales
With a new contract at London Towers nestling in his locker, Stuart Robbins can now look forward to another tour around the BBL and farther afield next term.
Yet the young centre intends to spend the next week doing something which the Londoners could not last term.
Win some silverware.
The biggest name (and body) in the Welsh team which has travelled to Malta in genuine hope of securing the European Promotions Cup, the 6'11 centre is determined to fly the Dragon amid the other minnows of continental basketball, each hoping to earn an ascent unto the next tier of continental basketball.
"I wouldn't say I'd lead the team," Robbins states, dripping with sweat after one of Wales final practices.
"The only way we'll win the tournament is to play as a team. Everybody is set. Yes, I've played in the Euroleague and BBL but I've known these guys since I was 15. It's no different. We just want to win the tournament and win something for Wales for the first time.
And although Mike Gould's squad has under-performed in the past, Robbins believes the time has come to stop that trend.
"Like a lot of teams, we have a lack of practice together which is the main thing," he states. "We had three practices together to pick the team so we're trying to gel together quickly. Last week we had some scrimmages together which I hope will help.
"This is my first Promotions Cup whereas a lot of the others have been before. We've always performed decently but we'll have a good team this time. We're going out there to win it and we believe that on our day, we can win it as long as we come together as a team."
Undoubtedly, Wales - tillered by guard Matt Hall - will run. And run. And run.
"That's good," Robbins insists. "We're going to try and play up and down, run and gun. If that fails, we'll put in a play but if we can, we'll run it."
That's something the Towers pivot could not do at the end of the domestic campaign. Injuries kept him out of the BBL play-offs and the final stages of the NEBL chase so easing himself back into shape is another priority.
"This is like rehabilitation for me," he confirms. "I think it's a good opportunity. It's going to be competitive out there so I can keep working on my fitness. I want to make sure my calf is back to full strength for next season."
And Wales chances? Paired with Andorra, Gibraltar and the very unknown quantity that is Moldavia in their opening tie, there is ample occasion to progress at least into the final four.
Yet the perturbing essence of the Promotions Cup is that the two well-populated British nations competing have so often been left floundering at the hands of much smaller foes.
Information is at a premium. "The coaches have videos of the other teams but last week was more practice and scouting," he reveals.
"We play Andorra, Gibraltar and Moldavia and we'll scout when we get out there and stay confident.
"It's going to be warm out there. Wales obviously isn't. So it's going to be tricky. It will be a case of practising in the morning, play in the afternoon and then rest.
"It's five games in five days which will be tough as you'd expect for European qualifiers."
Wales will need its Towers to stand the test.
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