London Lions forward Savannah Wilkinson believes having senior figures and squad harmony in the dressing room will be crucial to overcoming EuroCup final opponents Besiktas.

Lions created British basketball history by reaching the final when they beat Italian side Venezia but despite the challenge ahead, Wilkinson is confident those around her who have participated in big moments previously will have the experience to achieve greatness.

“We’ve been playing the best teams in Europe and executing our strengths at the same time. We all love each other as one unit and you can see that in our play,” she said.

“We will just play to win the game, and as long as we do that, I’m confident we can get a result.”

The lead-up to the final, which begins in Istanbul on Wednesday, has been nothing short of an exceptional effort from Vanja Cernivec’s side, and Wilkinson - who signed last summer after six seasons in the NCAA - was keen to express that.

“It’s been really tough. The games have been tight and we’ve won some of them by just a few points,” she added.

“Going into the second leg of the semis, we had to be fully locked in, and it was the most challenging game I’ve ever played in.

"We have such experience, and it was the biggest challenge of the finals. There has been some really talented opposition we’ve come up against, and we’ve done incredibly well to overcome them.”

In what has turned out to be excellent preparation for the final, the Lions have continued to dominate the Women’s British Basketball League with 13 straight wins.

“We have a great system. We know what works and how to pick things up. We’ve been watching more films and going over their (Besiktas) plays and personnel more than usual,” she said.

“They're very specific details, because the more, the better. Our coaches and scouts have been fantastic and the general message amongst the group is 'if it isn’t broken, we don’t need to try to fix it'.”

On any nerves in the camp, former Barking Abbey youngster Wilkinson pointed to background noise as the sole reason as to how hysteria can creep in.

“A lot of the time, any nerves in big games come from outside voices. We’ve done a lot of work to keep our circle tight,” she said bullishly.

“We have the potential to win this. It would be a massive achievement for the sport, so it’s important we keep the nerves down and out. The result will be the result. The vets have been in this situation before, so it’s so good to have them around. If they believe we can do it, we have to as well.”

British women's basketball will see one of its own crowned European champions for the first time ever should Lions get over the line in this final, with the second leg at the Copper Box Arena on April 10.

And Wilkinson spoke passionately about what victory would mean for the sport and herself on a personal level.

“We have to think we’re going to win. We have that belief to win it all, and it will be helpful to have the crowd behind us,” she said.

“You can see the crowd GB Basketball has built over time, as it’s really fun to watch. If people come to the game, they will be hooked—really hooked.

"We’ll be supported, and if we win, it will create an image for us and the sport in this country. If people come to one game, they will be addicted!

“I grew up playing football and going to watch tennis. The sport of basketball is growing, and to be part of this is amazing. My parents in the stands will be unreal, and playing for the national team will be amazing. It’s all super exciting."

London Lions men saw their own European dreams shattered by Paris, losing 99-83 in France and 93-85 back on home court in their semi-final encounter.