The Flyers don’t feel like taking a vacation

This incredibly intense, extremely competitive, and at times high-quality semifinal basketball series gets what it deserves: a five-game maximum. The Raiffeisen Flyers Wels won the 108th Upper Austria derby against the OCS Swans Gmunden at home after an impressive finish conceivably 81:80 (41:44), shortened the all-time record to 30:78 and made it 2:2.

So on Thursday (5 p.m., ORF Sport+) there will be the ultimate showdown in the Raiffeisen Sportpark above Lake Traun. The next show of strength is just around the corner. Defending champions BC Vienna, who have been preparing for the final since Thursday after two 3-0 series against Graz and Klosterneuburg, will be laughing up their sleeves. At least for now. No matter who will be the opponent from Saturday – he has to push the limits physically and emotionally.

The Upper Austria local duel is great basketball advertising, the way the people of Wels, for whom it was the ninth match within 22 days, keep fighting back, is impressive.

“I’m incredibly proud of my team, they never give up. Congratulations! It was an incredible comeback win,” emphasized Flyers coach Sebastian Waser.

This Mother’s Day thriller didn’t leave any of the 1050 fans in the almost sold-out arena cold. Gmunden once again seemed to be on the road to victory. The Swans, on whose side captain Daniel Friedrich scored 16 points, were already leading 76:65 after 34:01 minutes. But the people of Wels rebelled, Arvydas Gydra – top scorer of the evening with 19 points – reduced the deficit to 78:80 with a distance shot. Elvir Jakupovic should be the match winner, he followed the winning three 27 seconds before the siren.

Gmunden still had a double chance through Urald King and Dominic Green to send the Flyers on vacation. But that didn’t work, they didn’t want to.

“Game five, let’s go”

“We didn’t manage to decide the game early again. We had control, weren’t bad, but ultimately not essential. Now we have to see that we close the sack at home,” said Swans managing director Richard Poiger.

“Wels hit wild shots at the end, we messed up our last one. That was the difference,” analyzed Friedrich.

The Flyers are riding the wave of euphoria after their first derby home win of the series. “There’s nothing cooler than a decider. Game five, let’s go,” gushed Donovan Smith (14 points). This thrill is well known to the people of Wels. The encounter with St. Pölten already went the full distance in the quarter-finals. The end point was a clear 80:61.

And who has the longer breath on Thursday?