Even if basketball master Gmunden lost out in the Super League hit against title favorite BC Vienna with 74:94, pride sounded through the losers. Proud of the 900 fans who showed exemplary and cordial behavior when they returned to the Volksbank-Arena after the lockdown.
Enis Murati, who had worn the Swans jersey for 16 years, appeared for the first time as an opponent at Traunsee and, after starting problems, played a major role with 16 points, four rebounds and six assists. Hardly anyone took it against him. The 33-year-old ex-captain of the Swans was received at his former place of work with standing ovations and the banner “Enis Murati basketball god”. The only swipe were the dollar signs that adorned the eyes of his likeness. The Austrian international earns significantly more at BC Vienna than before in Gmunden.
But this Sunday night it was not about money, but about pure emotions, which even the often offensive Viennese manager Petar Stazic Strbac didn’t leave cold. “I want to thank the Gmundner audience, there was not a single booing against Enis,” emphasized the maker in an interview with the pay TV broadcaster Sky.
Murati himself had one or two tears in his eyes – that was also due to the joy of seeing coach Anton Mirolybov again. The two grew together on the way to Gmundens championship title 2020/21.
It was a comeback not only for Murati and the fans, but also for the Finnish coach, who showed up in the hall after two serious surgeries.
The fact that the 44-year-old can be back on board is something of an early Christmas present for all Swans. Mirolybov, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in June, is now cancer-free. The Finn is already bursting with zest for action. During the break he analyzed what he had seen with his assistant Aleksi Koskinen, after the match he discussed with US legionnaire Stephon Jelks. There is a lot of work to do before the derby on Stefanitag (7 p.m.) away against the Raiffeisen Flyers Wels.
“The coach has always been a fighter,” said Murati: “I’m as proud of him as he is now fighting and I’m glad to know someone like that.” As he said that, the voice trembled. The overall situation seemed to overwhelm the veteran. “I didn’t know what to expect. I can only say thank you to all of the Swans.”
The “basket hunters” from Wels can also welcome their loyal fans again today (6.30 p.m.) in the Alpe-Adria-Cup match against Sibenik. A comeback of captain Davor Lamesic, who is suffering from the consequences of a corona disease, is currently not foreseeable.
Source: Nachrichten
