SPOONFUL OF GELLER HELPS THE BULLETS TARGET CHAMPIONSHIP

2^nd May 1998-05-02

Saturday Fever

SPOON bending Uri Geller may have been given the bullet by Glenn Hoddle, but the basketball-crazy psychic still plans to have a big say in this weekend’s Wembley Championships.

The Birmingham Bullets team have enlisted the Israeli celebrity to help prepare them for tonight’s semi-final meeting with the Manchester Giants.

The England soccer chief may have slam dunked Geller’s offer of help but the Peugeot sponsored Bullets were only too glad to recruit him.

And Geller, who was once a promising junior player with the famous Maccabi Tel Aviv team, was only too glad to help. He has offered to give them a psychic boost with a prematch pep talk and the Bullets will take on underdogs Manchester with a special lucky omen from Geller.

He explained: “I bent a spoon for the Bullets guys and they were pretty freaked out, I don’t think they had ever seen me do it. I told them to put the spoon behind their bench for the big game and they will be assured of winning.”

“They seemed impressed and said they will definitely take it with them. It can be a lucky omen for them.”

“I have also offered my services before the game. I can go into the dressing room and. basically psyche them up, as I have done with footballers and other sportsmen.”

“I will inspire them, tell them to be positive and think of winning.”

“It will almost be like my psychic energy penetrating them and helping them become better, their talent will be enhanced.”

Geller’s big match build-up certainly impressed watching Bullets stars Nigel Lloyd, Tony Dorsey and HL Coleman as they toured Wembley yesterday.

Player-coach Lloyd said: “I was very sceptical about the whole thing but the spoon bending was incredible.

“It was totally for real and I know because I went and fetched the spoon myself from the Wembley Complex!”

“I reckon Glenn Hoddle doesn’t know what he’s missing and that spoon is now our own lucky talisman.” Geller himself will be showing off his own skills tomorrow – on the basketball court – when he takes part in a charity game to help children with leukaemia.

Derby footballer Paulo Wanchope, former Wimbledon tennis ace Pat Cash, TV chef Ainsley Harriott and an assortment of Gladiators will earn £100 a point for charity.

Geller said: “I love basketball and I’m looking forward to the game.”

“I love the sport and I’ll do anything to spread the word, especially for the youth.”