Three days after the huge blow in the Vijf Meihal, where Donar dramatically lost a certain national title to ZZ Leiden in the final phase, the exhausted Groningen basketball players lost in the quarterfinals of the play-offs of the BNXT league in Hasselt, Belgium, by 87 -67 from Limburg United.
The blow in the Leidse Vijf Meihal had hit the players of Donar hard. The Groningen team lost a lead of sixteen points in the final phase on Monday afternoon. After the shocking defeat, emotions fought for priority among the players. There was anger towards the blundering arbitrators, self-criticism, bewilderment, but above all disappointment and sadness. The question was whether Donar had recovered in time from the hard blow in Leiden.
The answer came quickly: no. Donar looked tired, exhausted, exhausted on Thursday evening. That was not the fault of the Groningen team with the sixth game in eleven days. Where the Groningen team had won twice against the Belgians in the regular season earlier this season, the team of coach Andrej Stimac was outplayed by Limburg United on Thursday evening.
Defensively not des-Donars
Offensively, Donar showed nice things every now and then before the break – although the free throws didn’t run for a meter again – but defensively it was no shadow of the team of the last few months. Limburg United was given a safe conduct to the basket several times in a very moderately filled sports hall and already scored 48 points before the break. A counter score that is not des-Donars. The Groningers themselves threw a total of 32 points through the ring in the first two quarters.
Donar, where Sander Hollanders got more playing time than during the final matches against Leiden due to the absence of Vernon Taylor, was unable to recharge for the second half during the break. Limburg United steadily expanded its lead. After the end of the third quarter, the Groningen team’s deficit had already risen to 23 points: 71-48.
No comeback
A comeback à la Leiden (ouch) was not possible for the Groningen team on Thursday evening. The Groningen team remained at a great distance from Limburg United in the fourth quarter. The gap was no smaller than 18 points. In the last quarter, Donar scored better than the home team (16-19), but a major defeat (87-67) could not be avoided.
The return will follow in Martiniplaza on Saturday evening. In the BNXT League play-offs it is about which team scores the most points over two matches, so Donar has to make up 20 points at home against Limburg United. If that succeeds, the very strong Belgian champion Ostend awaits in the semi-finals.
Strange season
Donar is experiencing strange things this season, so the elimination is not certain yet, but the impression left by the Groningen team on Thursday evening gave the image of a tank that is empty to the last drop. This will most likely end the special season of the Groningers on Saturday. A season that started very disappointingly and ended the same way. The fact that there was a big revival in between that led to a very exciting final was a big and welcome surprise, but also one that left fans and players with a big hangover.
Donar-Limburg United 87-67
Quarter positions 26-19, 22-13, 23-16, 16-19
Score Donar Mounce 18, Branch 14, Gaddefors 7, Magdevski 7, Brandwijk 6, Hollanders 6, Olisemeka 6, Williams 3
Top scorers Limburg United Delalieux 22, Stein 21, Cale 14, Desiron 13
next game Donar-Limburg United, Saturday 3 June, 7.30 pm, Martiniplaza