The basketball players of Donar had to acknowledge their superiority in Antwerp Giants with 51-65 on Wednesday evening, but the damage was not too bad below the line. And Martiniplaza came back to life in an old-fashioned way.
There were plenty of interesting ingredients in the run-up to the clash between Donar and Antwerp Giants. For example, it was the meeting between two Croatian coaches: the current technical helmsman on the Groningen side Andrej Stimac and on the side of the southern neighbors Ivica Skelin, so beloved in Groningen. The former successful trainer of Donar recently won the Belgian Cup with Antwerp, his first prize since winning the Dutch equivalent with the northern basketball pride in 2015.
Baptism of Fire Branch
Furthermore, the game was the baptism of fire in Martiniplaza for Steph Branch. The 27-year-old American, who brought Donar to Groningen two weeks ago, must ensure that the northerners still grab a European ticket this season, after the first part of the season fell completely into the water. In the first few months, the Groningen residents were by no means able to meet the high expectations, resulting in numerous changes. Antwerp Giants also had the same competition pattern.
In recent weeks, the Groningen puzzle seemed to fall into place with successive victories against the Belgian opponents Limburg United and Spirou Basket from Charleroi. Nice boosts, because Donar is suffering from injuries. Against Antwerp Giants, for example, strongholds Olaf Schaftenaar, Leon Williams and Vernon Taylor were missing. For the latter it was extra sour. This time, his mother and mother-in-law were among the 3350 spectators in the Groningen basketball temple.
Renso Zwiers
With a small rotation of seven players, the home club went into battle, after the death of former club icon Renso Zwiers was first considered. The Groningen hero from the seventies died last week at the age of 67. Donar started the tough job with great dedication against the Antwerp team, who were in great shape. With a three-pointer from Willem Brandwijk, the Groningen team took an 11-7 lead in the first quarter.
The problem was that the cannon of the long-range shots then went silent for a long time on the side of the home club. Antwerp Giants increased the intensity defensively, Donar bit himself to pieces. Also under the basket, coach Stimac’s men constantly got stuck against the burly Belgians. With three-pointers from the German shooter Ferdinand Zylca and child of the club Thijs de Ridder, Antwerp passed Donar to not relinquish the lead.
Reveal terrain
From 14-15 in the first period, the Belgians ran out to 23-31 in the second quarter. As the match progressed, Donar had to give up more and more ground. That was also explainable given the fact that Skelin could choose from ten players on the Antwerp side compared to Donar’s seven.
Nevertheless, the Groningen team continued to fight in an admirable way for a good result. In the fourth quarter, the home club even shook Antwerp Giants again. With two flawless three-pointers from newcomer Steph Branch it became 42-47. Martiniplaza was swirling as usual, but the Belgians kept a cool head, regrouped and took the victory 51-65 after all.
Oversee damage
For Donar, which must finish at least third Dutch club in the Elite Gold to qualify for a European ticket, the damage was manageable, because close competitors Zwolle and Aris also lost. Afterwards, coach Stimac seemed to be resigned to the fact that his battered team had to lose out against the Belgian top club. “They knew how to expose our weaknesses. We didn’t have an answer to that.” He hopes to welcome Leon Williams back to training soon.
Ivica Skelin enjoyed seeing many acquaintances in Groningen again. ,,It always feels good to come back to Martiniplaza, but this time it was even more enjoyable. It was the first time that I won in Martiniplaza with another team, and of course I realize that Donar was missing 30 to 40 percent of the team. That made it a lot easier.”