Asisa Joventut Badalona claimed a narrow victory over ratiopharm Ulm (66-72) at the Sant Julià de Vilatorta tournament in an intense matchup featuring multiple lead changes.
How It Unfolded
The opening was evenly contested with alternating leads until Ulm took their first advantage in the final seconds of the first quarter, a lead they maintained for a stretch. However, Joventut found increasingly better offensive solutions and regained control in the closing minutes of the first half. From that point on, they protected their lead until the final buzzer.
For the German side, Dwayne Koroma and Devin Schmidt hit crucial baskets during the momentum swings, and Meissa Faye briefly extended the gap into double figures with his three-pointers. It wasn't enough.
Team Context
For Joventut, this was their second preseason game and first victory, following a 77-96 loss to Monbus Obradoiro in Gijón. Head coach Dani Miret's squad continues to build chemistry in his inaugural season on the bench, with Ricky Rubio and Boogie Ellis as key pieces.
For Ulm, meanwhile, this marks their second defeat in two days against a Liga Endesa opponent: on Friday they fell 100-66 to Ilerna Lleida in the same tournament. Head coach Ty Harrelson nonetheless praised the improvement, saying his team played much better against a high-level opponent, acknowledged his players' adaptability, and called it a step in the right direction despite the loss, insisting there is still much work ahead.
The note is worth highlighting from here because Ulm competes this season in Group D of the EuroCup, the same group as Baxi Manresa and Bosna Sarajevo.