The Flyers are riding a wave of euphoria

The OCS Swans Gmunden, number 1 of the “regular season”, are not only chasing a break and thus a 0:1 deficit in the best-of-5 basketball semi-final series in Wels on Monday (7 p.m.), but also against a “red wall”. Around 1100 fans will turn the Raiffeisen Arena into a cauldron, the Flyers are surfing on a wave of euphoria after an impressive 81:75 away win via extra time in the 105th Upper Austria derby.

The first milestone has been reached, but the hunger is far from satisfied. “We wanted to force a second home game against the big favorites for the title, and we succeeded,” said Wels head coach Sebastian Waser, who was proud of his team. The outstanding player was Austen Awosika (24 points), who kept his cool with his colleagues.

After all, Gmunden had thrown out a double-digit lead several times, but in overtime the Swans looked “like the rabbit in front of the snake” in front of 1242 eyewitnesses, stated CFO Harald Stelzer. “The trumps are now on the Wels side. I’m expecting a reaction, otherwise the semifinals will be over quickly,” emphasized the veteran in the service of the “Korbjäger” from Traunsee and spoke of an “insufficient performance”.

“We gave the game away”

Above all, the 22 ball losses are a thorn in the side of Gmundnern. “In the end we gave the game away, that shouldn’t have happened,” analyzed captain Daniel Friedrich (17 points). Managing director Richard Poiger felt that “Wels wanted the game more”. Ultimately, nuances tipped the scales in favor of the Flyers, who triumphed in Gmunden for the first time since October 10, 2021.

Some in the trade fair city are already dreaming of the final or even the second championship title after 2009, but that is (still) taboo in the dressing room. “It’s a 1-0 in the series – no more. We expect a Gmunden team that will come to us with a lot of energy. We have to be ready,” emphasized Wels captain Christian von Fintel.

There is no reason for cheeky announcements, the 33-year-old is well aware of the away strength of the Swans, who have won 13 of their last 14 competitive games abroad. Nevertheless, Wels player Gavrilo Tepic is not lacking in confidence: “We haven’t lost a match in the play-offs at home. It should stay that way.” Defending champion BC Vienna showed no weaknesses in the 82:63 against Klosterneuburg.