UNGER STEEL Gunners Oberwart – KK Furnir 85:76 (17:32, 27:6, 21:22, 20:16)

Referees: Bara, Obertová, Sirocký (all Slovakia)

Attendance: 250

Venue: Sporthalle Oberwart

Scorers – Oberwart: Gardner 21, Hanes 16, Horvath 13, Köppel 11, Rauch 10, Abou-Ahmed 7, Knessl 5, Poljak 2

Scorers – Furnir: Hollingsworth 30, Vidović 12, Kalajžić 9, Rada 8, Karahodžić 7, Paponja 5, Bjelanović 3, Savić 2

The home side initially took the lead, but then had problems with the visitors’ defense. The Croatian team is 11:15 ahead after 5 minutes. Both teams take a lot of throws from the outside. The guests are more successful and are clearly ahead after the first section. In the second quarter, the Gunners fight back, where they can significantly improve the defensive and the hit rate is better. Now the guests can’t find an answer to the Gunners’ game.

The Gunners start with 10 points in a row. The guests cannot find their way back into the game and receive many foul whistles. In the last two minutes, the game turns again and the guests reduce their deficit. In the 4th quarter there is no basket for two minutes. After that, the game is balanced, the Gunners are just ahead. Two minutes before the end, the Croatians equalized to 74:74. 6 points in a row gives the Gunners a lead.

Post-game quotes: 

Horst Leitner, coach of Oberwart: “Congratulations to my team. The young players could learn a lot.”

Magdy Abou-Ahmed, player of Oberwart: “Defense and high rotation were the keys to success. We played solid.”

Jeronimo Sarin, coach of Furnir: “Congratulations to the Oberwart team on their victory. We used this game to prepare for the next championship game. The Alpe Adria Cup was very difficult this season.”

Filip Paponja, player of Furnir: “It was a tough game. We gave up a lead and let Oberwart come back. Congratulations to Oberwart.”