Gone are the days when 1,300 fans squeezed into the Raiffeisen Arena in Wels to catch a glimpse of the explosive basketball derby between Messestadt and Gmunden. Due to the pandemic, the demands have become more modest. At the Sunday (19 o’clock, ORF Sport +, Sky) 650 seated visitors wearing FFP2 masks may be there live in compliance with the 2G rule. It is doubtful whether this mark can even be reached at the 96th test of strength.
“Perhaps 40 to 50 of our community will arrive,” says Gmundens CFO Harald Stelzer, whose club is clearly ahead of the game with 68:27 wins. Michael Dittrich, chairman of the Flyers Wels, has no illusions either. “It’s not like it used to be, a lot is characterized by fear and horror. But we’re already happy that the fans can be there again. It’s cool to feel the emotions, to hear the drums, applause and shouts. That was totally missing. “
Tylan Birts is a direct hit
For the Welser, the derby will only be the second Superliga season home match that will not take place in camera. On October 16, around 500 supporters saw a surprising 80:87 defeat against the bottom line Traiskirchen.
On Stefanitag, the flyers, who miss Captain Davor Lamesic (consequences of a Covid disease), want to show a different face. Also thanks to neo-legionnaire Tylan Birts. The 25-year-old American is a real hit, he acclimatized in no time and in his first four matches with a time of 105: 52 minutes, he posted a total of 72 points, 32 rebounds, five assists and eleven steals. “A derby is special. If we perform as a team, we also have a good chance against the reigning champions,” said Birts. “His commitment makes the task even more difficult for us,” admits Gmundens Stelzer: “Wels is not one of those teams that we like anyway. They play aggressively, sometimes even hard.”
Training on Christmas Eve
Whatever the case: Nobody can expect post-Christmas presents, the Swans from Traunsee have a desire for revenge. In the most recent duel on October 10, the Flyers kept the upper hand away with 89:69.
This time the cards are being reshuffled; the pressure factor plays a major role. Gmunden is fifth at half time, Wels seventh. Only the top six qualify for the placement round and thus directly for the play-offs.
No wonder that the local rivals do not let the training session rest on Christmas Eve and tomorrow’s Christmas Day.
Source: Nachrichten
