The DKV Joventut faithful left the Pavelló Municipal de Badalona with plenty of reasons to smile after a hard-fought 72-66 victory over Ratiopharm Ulm in the Club Friendship on Sunday evening. The Spanish side used a strong defensive third quarter to take control of a contest that was tight from the opening tip, ultimately grinding out a valuable win in pre-season preparation.

Match Overview

In a game that never really found a smooth offensive rhythm, Joventut’s veteran leadership and superior rebounding proved decisive. The hosts trailed briefly in the first half and entered the locker room with a slender advantage, but they emerged with renewed intensity after the break. A 23-11 run in the third period effectively settled the tie, with Ulm unable to close the gap to within a single possession in the frantic final minutes.

Ratiopharm Ulm, competing in the same friendly circuit to fine-tune their rotation ahead of their domestic campaign, showed flashes of their trademark pace but struggled against Joventut’s half-court discipline. The German outfit shot just over 40 percent from the field and were particularly hampered by turnovers in the third quarter.

Key Moments

• Third-quarter surge: Joventut opened the second half with a 9-0 run, forcing Ulm into an early timeout. The hosts’ defensive intensity created transition looks that they had missed in the opening 20 minutes.
• Free-throw execution down the stretch: After Ulm trimmed the deficit to five with two minutes remaining, Joventut calmly converted six consecutive free throws to ice the game.
• Rebounding advantage: Joventut dominated the glass, pulling down 14 offensive rebounds compared to Ulm’s 8, leading to crucial second-chance opportunities.

Tactical Story

Joventut head coach Dani Miret set his team up to disrupt Ulm’s dribble penetration and force the visitors into contested jump shots. This approach paid off in the second half, as Ulm’s guards found the paint increasingly sealed. Offensively, Joventut relied on a balanced attack, spreading the floor to get open looks on the perimeter and using their size advantage inside.

Ulm, under the guidance of their coaching staff, tried to accelerate the pace and create easy baskets but were met by a well-drilled Joventut defense that switched seamlessly on screens. The visitors lacked efficiency from beyond the arc, converting only 7 of 27 three-point attempts, which proved to be their undoing.

Standout Players

• Joventut’s veteran forward: A double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds anchored the home side, providing a physical presence that Ulm could not match. His offensive boards were a constant source of energy.
• Joventut’s playmaker: Finished with a team-high 16 points and 5 assists, dictating the tempo and making smart decisions against Ulm’s switching defense.
• Ulm’s primary scorer: Despite the loss, the guard kept his team alive with 18 points, including four three-pointers, but found the going tough in the decisive third quarter.

Season and Contextual Impact

For Joventut, this result continues a solid pre-season under the Club Friendship banner, building confidence as they prepare for their competitive league schedule. Wins against international opposition like Ulm are seen as valuable preparation for the physicality and pace they will face in domestic competition.

For Ratiopharm Ulm, this friendly serves as a learning experience. The narrow defeat highlights areas for improvement, specifically durability on the boards and perimeter shot selection, as they work to integrate new signings and establish their rotation. The rematch potential in future editions of the Club Friendship will certainly be an intriguing prospect for fans of both clubs.