EWE Baskets Oldenburg erased a 26-point deficit to defeat the Veolia Towers Hamburg 75-74 in Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga action, securing their fourth win in four games of the young campaign. Trailing 46-23 at halftime and facing a 49-23 disadvantage in the 22nd minute inside a sold-out EWE-Arena holding 6,500 spectators, head coach Milenko Bogicevic’s revamped squad mounted a stunning comeback.
A Disastrous First Half in Front of a Sold-Out Crowd
The hosts entered the clash against their northern rivals under severe physical strain. Oldenburg returned from an away victory in Würzburg at 6 Uhr on Saturday morning and played without injured contributors LeTre Darthard, Stefan Momirov, and Nate Johnson. Meanwhile, the Veolia Towers Hamburg enjoyed a full night’s rest following a home win against the Niners Chemnitz.
Hamburg capitalized immediately on Oldenburg’s sluggish start, opening with an 8-0 run and extending the margin to 23 points by intermission. When Hamburg scored out of the locker room to stretch the lead to 26 points at 49-23, the match appeared out of reach for the home side. Oldenburg guard Zach Ensminger admitted that fatigue played a factor but refused to use it as an excuse, noting that the team felt sorry for themselves during the opening twenty minutes.
The Halftime Turning Point and Defensive Lockdown
Following a stern halftime address from Bogicevic, Oldenburg transformed their defensive intensity. The hosts outworked Hamburg on the glass, finishing with a 40-32 rebounding advantage that gradually suffocated the visitors’ offensive rhythm.
Hamburg struggled to find answers as the pressure mounted. Former Oldenburg player Martin Breuning noted that his team simply lost its energy after the break, pointing to careless turnovers and dwindling shooting confidence as the lead evaporated. Nico Tischler led the charge for Oldenburg with 21 points, while Zakai Zeigler paced the Towers with 14 points.
Family Milestone Crowns a Remarkable Night
The dramatic victory provided a double celebration for Bogicevic, whose son turned 18 on the night of the game. The head coach praised the EWE-Arena supporters for maintaining a positive atmosphere even when the team faced a 26-point deficit, turning the venue into a cauldron that fueled the second-half surge.
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