Ratiopharm Ulm has also won its second game in the EuroCup. The president of the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens, was even there to watch the 87:83 victory over Joventut Badalona.
Stevens was probably there to see Ulm’s two top talents Ben Saraf (18) and Noa Essengue (17), who once again had a few good moments. Saraf didn’t get many of his shots off as he would have liked, but he made a few good plays in crunch time and made the decisive two slam-dunks in the final minute.
The point guard recorded 15 points (6/13 FG) and two assists in 24 minutes, while Essengue notched up eight points (3/5 FG) and four rebounds in 18 minutes. “There are other NBA teams here, but the fact that the GM is coming personally from the NBA champions is a very special honor,” said sports director Thorsten Leibenath on Magenta Sport.
Nelson Weidemann, on the other hand, played down the presence somewhat. “Four and a half years ago, I would have been really impressed. Now it’s nice that he’s here, I don’t think he’s going anywhere else in Germany. In my eyes, it’s just a spectator.”
ratiopharm Ulm remain unbeaten
Alongside the two youngsters from Ulm, Stevens is also likely to have taken a closer look at the Croatian Jumbo guard Michael Ruzic on the other side. The 17-year-old, who measures 2.08 meters, was on court for 14 minutes and scored five points and recorded three rebounds.
However, Ulm won the game. After the thriller in Poland, it was the second close game that the young team managed to win. “It was a solid game and I’m happy that we were able to use our home advantage,” said a modest Head Coach Ty Harrelson.
Ulm has won all four competitive games this season so far and faces its next test in the derby against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg at the weekend. It then travels to Lithuania for the EuroCup game against the as-yet winless Wolves from Vilnius on Tuesday.
