Our team is back to the EBL after an exceptionally long break. On Wednesday at 18:00 they will take on Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora at Gdynia Arena.
The break from EBL lasted for almost a month. The team did take part in the Suzuki Polish Cup, but that lasted only for a day. In the quarterfinals, we lost to Zastal (68:90), who we will face once again this wednesday, this time in the league play. The Polish national team also required the lenghtening of the break. Adam Hrycanuk was part of the national team and in 17 minutes he gathered 4 points and 2 rebounds against the Spanish. In total, the team had 20 days to rest and regenerate before the taxing March. The break was suppose to last a bit shorter, but due to COVID, our match in Bydgoszcz was moved to Tuesday, 9th of March.
Zielona Gora saw a real revolution happen in her team. Two important players have moved away - Marcel Ponitka, who was bought out by the Russian Parma Perm and the Danish Gabriel "Iffe" Lundberg. The 26 years old playmaker was a major force in the team, who led them to impressive wins not only in the EBL, but also in the united VTB league. His great shape peaked the interest of Euroleague scouts and the russian superpower, CSKA Moscow. Many believe that had Iffe stayed until the end of the season, he would be awarded the MVP award. US player Blake Reynolds left as well, although that does not come at a surprise. The remaining gaps were filled out quickly.
Ponitka was replaced with the Greek Nikos Pappas. For seven years he played for Panathinaikos Athens, as well as PAOK Saloniki and Hapoel Jerusalem. At the beginning of his career, he collected golden medals in Europe with his junior team in the U-18 and U-20 categories. In his debut against Polpharma Starogard Gdanski (110:86) he scored 22 points and 7 assists. A worthy replacement for Lundberg seems to be Skyler Bowlin, who also came from Greece. Previously, he represented the German Wurzburg. Against the "Kociewian Devils", he scored 5 3 pointers and noted the same amount of passes. In terms of our local players, two Polish were contracted: Krzysztof Sulima from Anwil Wloclawek and David Brembly from beyond our western border. The upcoming match will be a debut for the second one of those in the green-and-white colours. Despite the rotational changes so late in the season, Zastal is still way ahead and scores win after win. After Lundberg left, the most likely to get the MVP award is the center Geoffrey Groselle (17.3 points, 8.2 reobunds). There is no shortage of other high quality players: Rolands, Freimanis,Janis Berzins, Kris Richard - those three guarantee 10-point scores at the very least and a good teamwork-based play. Piotr Blechacz and his team will have quite a challenge to face.
The match will take place at Gdynia Arena at 18:00. The match will be made available on Emocje TV. Show your support!
