Joventut wins in Sant Julià against Ulm (66-72)

The Joventut de Badalona achieved its first victory of the preseason by defeating the German team in a match that remained balanced until the final moments. The game held in the Sant Julià de Vilatorta tournament demonstrated the adaptability of both teams, with constant changes on the scoreboard and a demanding defense that set the pace of the game.

A balanced start defined in the final stretch

The opening moments of the match reflected the equality that would characterize the entire encounter. Both teams exchanged leads on the scoreboard without either managing to pull ahead definitively. The Penya and Ulm were competitive from the start, with intense defenses and an offense looking to find rhythm in these early weeks of preparation.

The turning point came in the last seconds of the first quarter when Ulm took the lead for the first time. This advantage was maintained for a stretch of the match, allowing the German team to believe in the possibility of victory. However, the Penya began to find increasingly better offensive solutions as the game progressed, especially in the last minutes of the first half.

From the moment they regained control in the closing minutes of the first half, Joventut effectively defended their lead until the final buzzer. Their game management improved significantly, allowing Dani Miret's team to maintain the advantage and close out a challenging friendly match.

Koroma, Schmidt, and Faye attempt a German comeback

For Ulm, several players showcased quality moments at key times. Dwayne Koroma and Devin Schmidt scored important baskets during critical stretches, demonstrating the ability to respond when the match became tight. Meissa Faye also made his mark with perimeter shots, at times stretching the difference to double digits.

Despite these individual flashes, Ulm could not close out the game in their favor. Joventut's defense tightened in the decisive stretches, preventing the Germans from completing their comeback. Such friendly matches often reveal important aspects of teams' ability to respond to adversity, and in this case, Penya showed greater consistency at crucial moments.

Preseason context for both squads

For Joventut, this victory represents a step forward in their preparation process. It is their second friendly of the summer and their first positive result, having lost to Monbus Obradoiro in Gijón by 77-96. Dani Miret's team continues in a phase of fitting together the pieces in his first season at the helm, relying on experienced players like Ricky Rubio and Boogie Ellis to guide the project.

Ulm's situation is different. For the German team, this defeat marks their second setback in two days against rivals from the Liga Endesa. The previous Friday, they lost 100-66 to Ilerna Lleida in the same tournament, highlighting the challenge of competing against top Spanish teams during this preparatory phase.

Despite the adverse results, coach Ty Harrelson positively assessed his team's development. According to him, Ulm played much better against a high-level opponent, acknowledging the adaptability of his players. Harrelson described the match as a step in the right direction despite the loss, insisting that much work remains before the official season begins.

European relevance and future schedule

An interesting detail is that Ulm is competing this season in Group D of the EuroCup, the same competition that Baxi Manresa and Bosna Sarajevo are part of. This information contextualizes the level of demand the German team faces and the importance of these friendlies to fine-tune details before approaching a schedule that combines domestic league play with European competition.

For Joventut, the victory in Sant Julià de Vilatorta comes at a time when the team is building its identity under Dani Miret's leadership. The upcoming friendlies will be crucial for continuing to refine defensive and offensive aspects, as well as for Ricky Rubio and Boogie Ellis to fully adapt to the project and embrace their leadership roles.

Both teams will use the coming weeks to continue their preparations. Joventut will seek to consolidate this first victory and improve upon the performance displayed in Gijón, while Ulm will aim to break their losing streak and gain confidence for their commitments in the EuroCup and the German league.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Joventut gana en Sant Julià al Ulm (66-72)