Telenet Giants Antwerp break attendance record in Belgium with 17,250 spectators
ANTWERP (Belgian EuroMillions Basketball League) - A record crowd of 17,250 came along to watch Telenet Giants Antwerp best Basic-Fit Brussels in the EuroMillions Basketball League on Friday.
The crowd broke the previous attendance record for a basketball game in Belgium during the annual Night of the Giants event, filling Antwerps Sportpaleis nearly to the brim.
The Roel Moors-coached Giants inscribed a convincing 85-70 victory over last year's runners-up to improve to a second-best 17-5 mark in the domestic championship.
The crowd left a strong impression on the team's newcomers Ismael Bako and Hans Vanwijn, who experienced the traditional get-together for the first time.
"Playing in such an atmosphere is unique. Both for myself and Hans Vanwijin, this was a first. One we will not forget for a long time," said the 22-year-old center Bako, who joined the Giants from Leuven Bears before this season.
Having arrived to Antwerp from Limburg United, Vanwijn did not take long to establish himself as one of the main players on his new team. He put together a team-high 17 points on his first Night of the Giants.
Great win tonight @antwerpgiants What a crowd! What a performance! What a team! #antwerpen pic.twitter.com/A37ktLTJUJ
— Philippe De Backer (@debackerphil) March 23, 2018
"It was a pure joy," he said. "I got a lot of freedom from coach Roel Moors and it feels great."
Kingsley Moses also played a big part in the win with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, Tyler Kalinoski chipping in with 12 points and 5 boards, while Paris Lee had 8 points and 9 assists.
On the other end of the court, Basic-Fit Brussels big man Jeremy Simmons reeled in the top scorer honors with 18 points and 9 rebounds in a losing effort.
Wave of Lights #notg @antwerpgiants pic.twitter.com/oUT2WRFrnx
— Frank '66 (@FVdKerckhove) March 23, 2018
Both teams competed in the FIBA Europe Cup this season, but ended their campaigns already in the Regular Season after placing third in their respective groups.
Antwerp split all of their games and had a 3-3 record in Group A, with Brussels finishing 2-4 in Group D.
The previous attendance record in Belgium also belonged to the Antwerp club with 17,150 spectators watching the 2016 edition of the Night of the Giants against Oostende.
FIBA
