Upper Austrian basketball summit

“Vaccination campaign” for derby win

Gmunden's Güttl in a duel with Wels' Von Fintel

(Bild: Dostal Harald)

The 113th derby between the Swans from Gmunden and the Welser Flyers is a historic opportunity for the hosts, who have not been able to win two brother duels en suite for a decade.

Lewis Hamilton claimed his 25th Grand Prix victory, Peter Stöger celebrated promotion to the Bundesliga with FC Köln. And something extraordinary also happened in Upper Austria at Easter 2014. At least in hindsight. Basketball Wels had never won two derbies in a row in a season since the 79:69 victory on April 20. Neither in WBC nor Flyers times

On Monday of all days, ten years after the last Easter miracle, it could be that time again. "The starting position hasn't really changed," say Wels coach Sebastian Waser and chairman Michael Dittrich, pointing out that they only celebrated an impressive 81:73 win at Lake Traunsee on March 10. However, Gmunden does not want to hear about a second derby defeat in a row, says captain Daniel Friedrich, who goes into the derby with his Swans after a 61:72 loss against Traiskirchen: "The fact that it's been ten years shows that we've always shown the right reaction after a derby defeat. That will be the case again!"

Historic victory possible

But beware: According to Waser, times have changed: "In Gmunden, the players have always been taught that a derby win is above all else. That used to be lacking in Wels. Now, however, we have more and more players who know what that means," says Waser, who wants to achieve the historic second victory with his own "vaccination campaign". In any case, the derby will be a real party and the Raiffeisen Arena will be bursting at the seams. Which should also please the Upper Austrian Cancer Aid, especially as donations will be collected at the derby.