Both BC Prievidza and Bilbao Basket currently share the top of Group J in FIBA Europe Cup with a 2-0 record. Both teams play their home games in black jerseys. But similarities between the two clubs end there already. The Basques are in a completely different category when it comes to budget and international experience. However, in forty minutes of basketball, everything is possible and Goliath has been defeated before.
An estimated annual budget of six million Euros, a home venue that seats 11,000 spectators, a recent 83-79 home win over Real Madrid in the Spanish ACB, Europe’s top domestic league – these are just some of the noteworthy superlatives connected with Bilbao Basket. The Basque heavyweights and 2023/2024 FIBA Europe Cup semi-finalists come to Prievidza as runaway favorites and boast a roster with almost unlimited depth and quality.
Examples? The center duo of Tryggvi Hlinason from Iceland, with a body resembling The Wall from Game of Thrones, and Marvin Jones, an athletic and mobile shotblocker. The versatile backcourt of Norwegian floor general Harald Frey, Swedish slasher Melvin Pantzar and Estonian sharpshooter Kristian Kullamae. Wing scorers like Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman with an international resume longer than his name, and Zoran Dragic, younger brother of Goran, with his own share of NBA and Euroleague experience, or Fedor Zugic, one of the reasons NBA scouts are assigned to follow the game. Power forwards Thijs De Ridder, another NBA hopeful, and Tomasz Gielo, ten-year veteran of the Polish senior national team. The list goes on and on….
But here comes the good news for the home team: Only five of them will be allowed to play at the same time on Tuesday evening, the same number as our Miners will field. And in five-on-five, there is always a chance for the underdog if he manages to make life uncomfortable for the favorite. In particular with the backing from a sellout crowd in Sportova hala. David showed us how it can be accomplished. Time to find that slingshot!!!
Photo: Vladimír Králik