Undermanned and on the road, Slask Wroclaw could have succumbed to low expectations, but instead showed its pride from the opening tip though overtime.
Pride despite defeat for battling Slask
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Going on the road to face the German champion with several key players missing through injury, few people would have given Slask Wroclaw a chance of even seriously competing against ratriopharm Ulm on Wednesday night, never mind winning.
But in the end the Polish team competed superbly to force overtime before eventually succumbing, exhausted, to a 108-103 loss in a game which could easily have fallen either way.
And although Slask now sits at the foot of the standings with a deeply undeserved 0-5 record, having set a new EuroCup record for the most consecutive defeats on the road (25), there is still cause for pride and optimism.
Regular Season
Round 5 of 18
Regular Season
group b
ratiopharm UlmULM
108103
Slask WroclawWKS
group b
Overview
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Strong start signaled Slask's intentions
Right from the opening few possessions, when Hassani Gravett scored three early baskets in a fast-paced start and Lukasz Kolenda added two more, it was clear that Slask had not turned up to Germany simply to go through the motions.
Indeed, by the end of the third quarter, after Slask launched a 4-19 run inspired by Kolenda and Dusan Miletic to take a 64-77 lead, it had seemed that a famous and improbable away win was in the cards.
That outcome did not eventually transpire as Ulm defended its home court – but not without a major fight. Even in the last few seconds of regulation when Slask trailed by 3, Kolenda made one free throw, deliberately missed the second and Art Parakhouski was fouled on the rebound to convert a couple of foul shots and force overtime.
Extra time proved too much
In that additional period it was clear that Slask was exhausted, playing effectively with nine men as key players Jawun Evans, Jakub Niziol and Daniel Golebiowski sat out through injury. But still the visiting team did not give up and took the contest right until the final seconds before – as expected, but not at all in an expected manner – Ulm took the win.
So it was with plenty of justification that Slask coach Oliver Vidin praised his players after the game, saying:
"We played a good game, we controlled the pace as much as possible. We have some problems but the guys gave a lot of effort. Ulm got momentum and made some tough shots, especially in transition. Both teams were close, and it was a very interesting game for the fans. For sure we have a lot of space to improve, and from game to game we'll be better and better."
If Vidin's team keeps playing like in Ulm, it won't be long before victories start to arrive.