With a 71:84 defeat in the FIBA Europe Cup against Royal Hali Gaziantep, the OCS Swans Gmunden started their journey home from Turkey yesterday. In the second half, as in the two previous games, the team managed to catch up remarkably, they were within five points of the undefeated leaders. The defeat has to be checked off quickly: On Sunday (5.30 p.m.) the still undefeated teams in the local Superliga will meet second-placed UBSC Graz at the Traunsee.
“They’re definitely the surprise of the season so far, even if the draw meant well for them at the beginning. But in the Steirer Derby against Kapfenberg you have to win first,” says CFO Harald Stelzer. The biggest constant in the Graz team, which changes every year, is coach Ervin Dragsic, who has been with the Styrians for the fourth year. Under him, the team has grown from a perpetual relegation contender to a serious league force. This is evidenced by two play-offs in a row and reaching the semi-finals last season. This year, too, they showed a good hand in planning the squad. With the lively US legionnaire Zachary Cooks, one of the guards is currently playing in brilliant form, with Bobby Hawkinson a strong inside player came, and regular and national team player Lukas Simoner is also performing well week after week. “They are particularly strong under the basket on the rebound,” says Stelzer.
A clean slate should remain
Keeping a clean sheet is of great importance for the Swans, however, because in November there are almost only away games on the program. “And of course it’s much more difficult to survive. Especially where we will certainly notice the effort after these exhausting games in the Europe Cup,” believes Stelzer.
Source: Nachrichten
