MKS Dabrowa Górnicza – BC GGMT Vienna 86:72 (16:20, 23:23, 25:11, 22:18)
Referees: Roglič, Hordov, Mjeda
Attendance: 500
Venue: Hallmann Dome, Vienna
Scorers – Dabrowa Górnicza: Drame 17, Mokros 14, Krampelj 13, Chealey and Radwanski each 12, Bluiett 11, Blakes 5, Piechowicz 2
Scorers – Vienna: Murati 25, Vujosevic 12, Rados 11, Siriščević 8, Milošević 7, Savić 5, Manigat and Vladimir each 2, Novas Mateo 0
Going into the last game of the 2022/2023 AAC season, Dabrowa Górnicza got off to a strong start, namely with a 6-point streak. Home side Vienna struggled shooting early on, only managing to score for the first time in the 5th minute, luckily for them, they managed to erase the deficit quickly. She was then helped by 9 points in a row, which suddenly gave the finals a different charge and intensity. Both teams relied on a collective performance, but thanks to a better finish, Vienna won the first quarter 20:16. In the second period, the teams took turns to see who would be closer to winning the AAC trophy. It was an attractive game for the spectators, with great 3-point shooting and to the delight of the home fans, Vienna had the better of it. The concentration and experience of Murati in particular pushed the Austrian team to a 43:39 halftime lead.
The start of the second half was a bit nervous in its opening minutes, with the first points only coming at the end of the second minute, but from that point on things picked up and individuality began to dictate the tone of the game. Dabrowa Górnicza added to the intensity and defence to take back the lead. When the excellent shooting success percentage was added to that, the Polish team’s confidence and lead grew. Vienna was struggling and their opponent started to pull away. Piechowicz buzzer beater adjusted to 64:54 from Górnicza’s point of view. The Poles continued the incredibly high level of commitment that graced them throughout the second half and went on to triumph in the AAC with great aplomb. Vienna were able to make themselves heard at times, but couldn’t make any more drama out of the final. Individuality on Dabrowa Górnicza’s side secured points whenever the action on the board demanded it. By the end, the Poles were safely in control and consequently, the immense joy of winning the AAC in 2022/2023 could have erupted on their side.
Post-game quotes:
Jacek Winnicki, head coach of Dabrowa Górnicza: „I am extremely happy. I think we played one of the best games this season. From that point of view, the finals was perfect from our side, especially the defense in the second half, when we allowed Vienna to score only 29 points. Our concentration was at a high level, we followed the tactical instructions on both sides of the floor. That was the key to victory. I’m pleased that we played a very good two games and got the winner’s trophy, which I’m happy about.“
Ousmane Drabe, MVP of Final Four: „I think that’s a big thing for our team. We played well in this game, we were good shooters. I am very happy and proud of the whole Dabrowa Górnicza team. I believe that we will play like this until the end of the season.“
Aramis Naglić, head coach of Vienna: „The difference was in the small details and also the energy. I still say that Dabrowa Górnicza is a team that plays in a quality Polish league and is used to playing at a high intensity. Sure, they have the quality of players as well. It wasn’t easy from that point of view to keep the defensive intensity at the level we wanted. Congratulations to my boys, I’m proud of them because we were in the game for a long time. Dabrowa Górnicza was better, congratulations to them.“
Jožo Radoš, player of Vienna: „Congratulations to Dabrowa Górnicza, it was a great finals and a great battle for the winner’s trophy. The opponent converted difficult shots, made better decisions. We gave it our all, but Dabrowa Górnicza was better.“
Alpe Adria Cup – The list of Champions:
2015/2016 Helios Suns Domžale
2016/2017 MBK Rieker COM-Therm Komárno
2017/2018 KK Zlatorog Laško
2018/2019 Egis Körmend
2019/2020 BK JIP Pardubice
2020/2021 season cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic situation
2021/2022 Patrioti Levice
2022/2023 MKS Dabrowa Górnicza
