Three wins in four games were not enough for Austria’s 3×3 basketball players in the “Thunderdome” presented by the Kronen Zeitung on Graz’s main square to make it to the quarter-finals: A 21:17 against Italy was followed by a 13:21 against Spain. At least the visitors present themselves in a celebratory mood. On Saturday the men will fight for promotion from the group, but have to defeat Holland and Canada. Krone.tv will broadcast live from 6 p.m.
Extremely bitter! Austria’s 3×3 basketball players sold themselves dearly in the “Thunderdome” on Graz’s main square, won three of their four matches – and still only finished third in their group. So on Sunday, the day of the final, when the Olympic tickets are awarded, you are unfortunately condemned to watch …
Italy was cleared out of the way at 21:17 in the afternoon as planned. “We played unbelievably, an indescribable feeling”, beamed hostess Camilla Neumann, who shone with eleven points after the win against the “Azzurri”.
In the evening game against Spain you would have needed 16 points for the fixed promotion – it turned out to be 13:21. “You are strong, we were the underdog. We did well in this balanced group, ”said Sarah Sagerer, who hoped in vain in Chinese Taipei against Switzerland, which, like Spain, celebrated promotion. Probably little consolation after the missed ascent due to a mere three points …
In the stands, on the other hand, there has been a great atmosphere so far, despite the not always optimal weather! Several familiar faces mingled with the audience: Storm goalie Tobias Schützenauer enjoyed the flair in the “Thunderdome” as did GAK captain Marco Perchtold.
But not only the Austrian spectators ensured a good mood: several fan delegations from Mongolia also presented themselves loudly in Graz – every hit from their men was celebrated frenetically and waving the flags.