Nick Nurse has spelled out the obstacles which stand between Brighton Bears and a crack at Europe.

The Bears owner and head coach has revealed he is seriously considering taking up the chance to play in next season's ULEB Cup, the equivalent of football's UEFA Cup.

Bears have been told a place is available after winning the National Cup and finishing second in the league.

Nurse would love Bears to be among the 32 entrants from France, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy and Belgium when the group stages get underway in the autumn.

His final decision will depend on finances and the availability of facilities at the Brighton Centre or The Triangle.

Nurse said: "This is something I have always wanted to do. We won more games than any other team in the country last season and I want us to test ourselves. I am strongly considering entering but it will take some hard work."

Among those Nurse will approach for backing are Brighton and Hove Council and areas of the tourist industry.

He would have no qualms about taking games to The Triangle, though even there the availability of a court in midweek may be too limited.

Bears would have to allow their opponents to practice on the court the night before the game.

The squad would need to be carefully constructed to fit in with European restrictions on the use of overseas players.

Nurse would be able to use two Americans, plus two players of American origin who now hold British passports. That would mean having to rest two of the Americans hired for domestic action and sign extra players solely for the ULEB Cup.

Last season's event was won by Spanish giants Pamesa Valencia.