2023-05-18 18:06:18
For four games it was a duel at eye level, but on Thursday the OCS Swans Gmunden didn’t let anything burn once morest the Raiffeisen Flyers Wels. Led by an outstanding guard Daniel Friedrich, who set a new career high with 33 points, the Swans left the floor in the all-important fifth game of the semi-final series of the basketball super league as a sovereign 100:81 winner.
The 79th victory in the 109th Upper Austria derby was probably one of the most valuable so far. But there is no pause for breath. In the final, the fifth in a row for the Gmunden team (8:15 p.m., ORF Sport+), BC Vienna, who have been in the final since last week on Thursday, will be a well-freaked defending champion at Lake Traunsee from Saturday.
“We are full to the last seat. There is therefore no box office anymore,” the Gmundner announced on Wednesday. For the first time since the extension, the Raiffeisen Sportpark was sold out with 1,600 spectators, including 250 fans from Wels.
They then saw an impressive performance by the five-time champion. The Swans bought the nerve from the guests, who had been so fearless until then, from the start, took the lead for the first time from the sixth minute and didn’t give it up until the end. Friedrich in particular showed a golden touch, six of his ten three-point attempts found their goal. “It was the game of his life,” enthused Swans CFO Harald Stelzer. At the break, Gmunden was already comfortably ahead at 46:29, not only thanks to Friedrich. Catfish, who had little luck under the basket this time and sometimes acted too hectic, mightn’t find a recipe in the second half either. “This time we limited their strengths, Daniel delivered an amazing game,” said Swans player Benedikt Güttl.
Even before the game it rained awards for the Gmundner. Güttl was named the best defensive player in the league, and coach Anton Mirolybov was named coach of the season. Top scorer Urald King, who contributed a double-double from 18 points and 15 rebounds on Thursday, received the coveted trophy for the MVP (“Most Valuable Player of the Year”).
Dominik Feischl
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