2024-08-25 11:55:09
Austrian basketball players made a surprise appearance in the finals of the 3×3 European Championship in Vienna Prater on Sunday. Before the time expired in the semi-finals, they clearly defeated the Lithuanian team 21:14. This means that the first ÖBV medal at a major event is already a lock. In the final (7.30pm, live on ORF Sport +), Nico Kaltenbrunner, Enis Murati, Toni Blazan and Fabio Söhnel will face Switzerland or favorites Serbia, who will then face off.
In the semi-finals against Lithuania, the two sides were evenly matched in the early stage until the score was 7:7. Subsequently, the Austrians relied on their intelligence and high shooting percentage to win the game in one fell swoop. “Unbelievable, unimaginable. It’s disappointing not to qualify for the Olympics. Now it’s the European Championships at home and we’re in the final, it’s an incredible feeling, incredible fans – I can’t Imagine better things,” Söhnel said in an interview with ORF. Brazan also noted the significant support from the stands. “The audience gives us so much energy.” Kaltenbrenner is looking for an added bonus: “We’re not done yet, we want gold.”
Spain and France will face off in the women’s final (7:05 p.m.). Austria was eliminated in the quarter-finals against France on Saturday. The red, white and red men’s wheelchair team faced off against Poland in the final (16.55).
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