Donar (basketball club)

Donar, also known as Donar Groningen, is a professional basketball club based in Groningen, Netherlands. The club competes in the Dutch Basketball League (DBL) and its home arena is MartiniPlaza, which has a seating capacity of 4,350 people. Due to sponsorship reasons the club was also known as GasTerra Flames and Capitals during the 2000s.

Donar
2020–21 Donar season
LeaguesDutch Basketball League
Founded20 January 1951 (1951-01-20)
History
StadiumMartiniPlaza
Capacity4,350
LocationGroningen, Netherlands
Team colorsWhite, Blue, Navy
     
Main sponsorAmySoft
PresidentJannes Stokroos
Head coachIvan Rudež
Championships7 Dutch Championships
6 Dutch Cups
3 Dutch Supercups
Retired numbers1 (10)
Websitewww.donar.nl
MartiniPlaza, home arena of Donar
Home game of Donar in 2016

Donar is one of the traditional first division clubs along with Den Bosch, as it entered the league 51 years ago. The club won the national DBL championship seven times; in 1982, 2004, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Donar was runner-up in the seasons: 1998, 2006, 2011, 2015. There are also six NBB Cups – the domestic cup competition – in the honor list of Donar; they won the cup in 2005, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Donar has the most fans in the Netherlands, the club has somewhere around 1700 season ticket holders and sells the MartiniPlaza out on a regular basis in the Playoffs.[1]

History

In 1881, gymnastics club Wodan and fencing club Mars, both part of the student corps Vindicat, merged to form GSSV Donar. In 1951 the basketball department of this club was founded. In 1970 the club promoted to the highest basketball league.

In 1973 the club separated from Vindicat and got their first sponsor, Nationale-Nederlanden. This allowed the team to play in the much bigger Martinihal "Events hall". On September 20, 1980, Donar won against BOB Oud-Beijerland with a score of 158–58. The score of 158 was repeated that same season against the same team (158–82) and never since. The difference of 100 points has never been repeated.

After the first championship in 1982, Nationale Nederlanden announced to stop as sponsor. After one year of playing under their name, Donar was demoted to the rayon league. Donar became champion that year and promoted to the promotion league. In 1986, Donar returned to the highest league; where they remained ever since. On February 1, 1991, the Basketball Business Club (BBC) was founded. In 2000–01, the Martinihal was remodeled to become Martiniplaza and home games were moved to the new sports hall in the complex. This hall was renovated in 2006 when new seating was placed.

2009–2014: Successful GasTerra years
GasTerra Flames celebrating winning the 2010 DBL championship

In 2009 GasTerra became the main sponsor of the club, that was renamed the GasTerra Flames.[2] Head coach Marco van den Berg stayed and a whole new team was put together. In the 2009–10 season, Donar won the 3rd national championship in club history by beating West-Brabant Giants 4–1 in the Finals.[3] Earlier, in the regular season, Flames finished in first place with a 33–3 record. The key players of the team were the Americans Matt Haryasz, Matt Bauscher, Jason Dourisseau and Robby Bostain.

The whole squad that won the 2010 title returned for the next season, except for Tim Blue. In 2010 they became the first Dutch basketball team to take part in the qualifying rounds of the new Euroleague.[4] In the regular season Donar ended on the second place, while Jason Dourisseau was named the Dutch League MVP. The team won a second NBB Cup in 2011, after beating WCAA Giants[5] The team did eventually lost in the DBL Finals to Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden 4–3 in an historic game 7 which included three overtimes.[6]

Scene of a Play-off Finals game in 2010

Head coach Marco van den Berg left after the 2010–11 season and Hakim Salem, former ABC Amsterdam coach was acquired.[7] The team brought experienced players to the team like David Bell and Alex Wesby but they couldn't meet the set expectations. In the cup competition, Flames was defeated in the quarterfinals and in the DBL semifinals it lost to EiffelTowers Den Bosch.

During the 2012–13 season Hakim Salem was fired and the Croatian coach Ivica Skelin was acquired.[8][9] Despite the coaching change, team was still swept 3–0 by Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden in the DBL semifinals.

Before the 2013–14 season it was announced that GasTerra's sponsor contract ended after the season.[10] Flames acquired Dutch top players Arvin Slagter and Ross Bekkering from defending champion ZZ Leiden and three new Americans were added to the team. On March 30, 2014 Flames won the NBB Cup by beating Zorg en Zekerheid Leiden 79–71.[11]

In the 2014 Playoffs Flames beat BC Apollo easily in the quarterfinals (2–0) and later beat ZZ Leiden after a tough series (3–2). On June 1, 2014 Donar won its 4th national title. They beat SPM Shoeters Den Bosch 76–68 in game 7 of the Finals series.[12]

2014–present: Donar

In the 2014 offseason, the club announced that in the previous season, a deficit of €135,000 had arisen after mistakes made regarding the budget.[13] Therefore, the club had to cut into costs for the 2014–15 season and the budet was reduced. For the 2014–15 season, the club is known again as "Donar".[14] The team won the Supercup against Leiden and the NBB Cup Final against Den Bosch, the DBL Finals were lost 4–1 against Den Bosch.

Braal coached Donar to six trophies in five years

In the 2015 offseason, Ivica Skelin left the club and was replaced by Erik Braal. In July 2015, former league MVP Jason Dourisseau returned to Donar.[15] In the 2015–16 season, Donar won its 5th DBL title after beating Landstede Basketbal 4–1 in the Finals.

In the 2016–17 season, Donar reached the second round of the FIBA Europe Cup after being defeated by Tartu in the first qualification round of the Basketball Champions League. This feat would mean Donar's best European performance in club history. The 2016–17 season was also the first season ever to record the triple crown. New Heroes Den Bosch was defeated to win the Supercup, Landstede Basketbal was defeated in the NBB Cup final as well as in the playoff finals (4–1).

In the 2017–18 season, Donar qualified for the FIBA Europe Cup after being defeated in an overtime thriller against Estudiantes in the third and last qualification round of the Basketball Champions League. As a result of the loss Donar was drafted into a Europe Cup group with KK Bosna (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Le Portel (France) and Antwerp Giants (Belgium) in which they finished 2nd. By ending in second place they earned a spot in the second round phase of the Europe Cup, playingin group L against CS Universitatea Mobitelco Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Belfius Mons-Hainaut (Belgium) and Keravnos B.C. (Cyprus). After a home and away win against Cluj, a clear home win against Keravnos (109-69) and a convincing home win against Mons, Donar placed 1st in this group and, for the first time in club history, qualified itself for the Europe Cup play-off phase.

Brandyn Curry was Donar's star player in the 2017–18 season

In the play-offs, Donar beat Cluj-Napoca in the round of 16 and Mornar Bar in the quarter-finals, to reach its first ever European semi-finals. In the semi-finals, Donar lost to the defending Italian champion Reyer Venezia, despite winning the second leg at home.[16] In the 2017–18 DBL season, the club has success as well behind star players Brandyn Curry, named Most Valuable Player and All-DBL Selections Thomas Koenis and Evan Bruinsma. Donar won its third consecutive DBL title on 29 May 2018, after defeating ZZ Leiden 4–0 in the finals.

In the 2018–19 DBL season, Donar struggled and found itself in the fourth place in the regular season. It defeated ZZ Leiden in the semi-finals, 0–3. However, in the finals it lost to second-seeded Landstede. In the 2018–19 FIBA Europe Cup, Donar reached the round of 16 for the second time in history.

The 2019–20 season was cancelled prematurely in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Donar was supposed to play in the NBB Cup Final against Aris Leeuwarden. On 14 April, the club announced it parted ways with coach Braal.[17] On 17 April 2020, Croatian coach Ivan Rudež signed a three-year contract as head coach.[18]

Club identity

Names

The club has a rich history of names, mainly because of the different main sponsors of the team. Despite having been named differently in the past, "Donar" has always been used by supporters to describe the team.

Logos

The Donar logo introduced in 2014 features eagles, inspired by the coat of arms of the city of Groningen.

Uniforms
1981–82
2005–06
2006–07
2009–14
2009–14

Arenas
The Korenbeurs was Donar's first home, in the period 1950–59

The MartiniPlaza is the current home arena of Donar, since 2001. Because of inavailability in 2017, Donar has played one game in Leek[19] and one in Leeuwarden.[20]

Home arenas
Arena Tenure
Korenbeurs1950–1959
Groente-veilinghal Peizerweg1959–1973
ACLO-Hal1967–1973
Evenementenhal1973–1983
Sporthal Vinkhuizen1983–1986
Evenementenhal1986–2001
MartiniPlaza2001–present

Players
For a listing of past rosters, see Donar past rosters.

Current roster
Donar roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
F 1 Agasi, Nesta 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 20 – (2000-07-29)29 July 2000
PG 3 Ogungbemi-Jackson, Jarred 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 29 – (1991-08-11)11 August 1991
PG 5 Williams, Leon 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 29 – (1991-07-25)25 July 1991
G 6 Adetunji, Sheyi 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) 21 – (1999-09-11)11 September 1999
SG 7 Lacy, DaVonté 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) 93 kg (205 lb) 27 – (1993-03-21)21 March 1993
F 9 Rudež, Damjan 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 103 kg (227 lb) 34 – (1986-06-17)17 June 1986
C 14 Koenis, Thomas (C) 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 103 kg (227 lb) 31 – (1989-12-11)11 December 1989
PF 19 Brandwijk, Willem 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 100 kg (220 lb) 25 – (1995-07-31)31 July 1995
SF 21 Caruso, Henry 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 25 – (1995-07-01)1 July 1995
F 22 Moreton, Will 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 88 kg (194 lb) 23 – (1997-12-05)5 December 1997
F 32 Zuidema, Kjeld 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 19 – (2001-06-21)21 June 2001
G/F 33 James, Juwann 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 33 – (1987-02-10)10 February 1987
G/F Watts, Justin 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 30 – (1990-07-01)1 July 1990
Head coach

Ivan Rudež

Assistant coach(es)

Jan Stalman

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured
Updated: 11 January 2021

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Depth chart
Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Thomas Koenis Juwann James
PF Damjan Rudež Willem Brandwijk Nesta Agasi
SF Henry Caruso Will Moreton Kjeld Zuidema
SG DaVonté Lacy Justin Watts
PG Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson Leon Williams Sheyi Adetunji

Retired numbers
Donar retired numbers
N° Nat. Player Position Tenure
10Martin de VriesSG1979–1983, 1986–1990

Notable players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Honours

Total titles: 16

Leagues
Winners (7): 1981–82, 2003–04, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
Runners-up (5): 1987–88, 2005–06, 2010–11, 2014–15, 2018–19

Cups
Winners (6): 2004–05, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18
Runners-up (3): 1996–97, 1999–2000, 2006–07
Winners (3): 2014, 2016, 2018
Runners-up (3): 2011, 2015, 2017

European
Semi-finalist (1): 2017–18

Season by season
Season Tier League Pos. NBB Cup European competitions
1970–71 1 Eredivisie 7th Preliminary round
1971–72 1 Eredivisie 10th
1972–73 1 Eredivisie 8th
1973–74 1 Eredivisie 6th Preliminary round
1974–75 1 Eredivisie 8th
1975–76 1 Eredivisie 7th Preliminary round
1976–77 1 Eredivisie 4th
1977–78 1 Eredivisie 3rd
1978–79 1 Eredivisie 3rd
1979–80 1 Eredivisie 4th
1980–81 1 Eredivisie 5th
1981–82 1 Eredivisie 1st
1982–83 1 Eredivisie 4th
1983–86
Lower divisions
1986–87 1 Eredivisie 4th
1987–88 1 Eredivisie 7th
1988–89 1 Eredivisie 8th
1989–90 1 Eredivisie 3rd
1990–91 1 Eredivisie 4th
1991–92 1 Eredivisie 4th Quarterfinalist
1992–93 1 Eredivisie 5th Quarterfinalist
1993–94 1 Eredivisie 5th Semifinalist
1994–95 1 Eredivisie 4th
1995–96 1 Eredivisie 5th
1996–97 1 Eredivisie 3rd Runner–up
1997–98 1 Eredivisie 2nd Semifinalist
1998–99 1 Eredivisie 6th Quarterfinalist
1999–00 1 Eredivisie 5th Runner–up
2000–01 1 Eredivisie 3rd Quarterfinalist
2001–02 1 Eredivisie 5th Semifinalist
2002–03 1 Eredivisie 7th Quarterfinalist
2003–04 1 Eredivisie 1st Semifinalist
2004–05 1 Eredivisie 5th Champion 2 ULEB Cup
RS
3–7
2005–06 1 Eredivisie 2nd Fourth round 3 FIBA EuroCup
RS
2–4
2006–07 1 Eredivisie 5th Runner–up
2007–08 1 Eredivisie 5th Quarterfinalist 2 ULEB Cup
RS
2–8
2008–09 1 Eredivisie 3rd Quarterfinalist
2009–10 1 Eredivisie 1st Semifinalist
2010–11 1 DBL 2nd Champion 1 Euroleague
QR1
0–2
2 Eurocup
RS
1–5
2011–12 1 DBL 3rd Quarterfinalist 2 Eurocup
RS
2–4
2012–13 1 DBL 3rd Fourth round
2013–14 1 DBL 1st Champion 3 EuroChallenge
RS
2–4
2014–15 1 DBL
2nd
 Champion
2015–16 1 DBL
1st
 Eightfinal 3 FIBA Europe Cup
RS
2–4
2016–17 1 DBL 1st Champion 3 Champions League
QR1
0–1–1
4 FIBA Europe Cup
R2
8–4
2017–18 1 DBL 1st Champion 3 Champions League
QR3
2–1–3
4 FIBA Europe Cup
SF
5-2
2018–19 1 DBL 2nd Semifinalist 3 Champions League
QR2
1-3
4 FIBA Europe Cup
R16
7–7
2018–19 1 DBL 2nd[lower-alpha 1] TBD 3 Champions League
QR1
1–1
4 FIBA Europe Cup
RS
2–4
  1. The 2019–20 season was cancelled in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Individual awards
DBL Most Valuable Player
DBL Playoffs MVP
All-DBL Team

DBL Coach of the Year

  • Jim Parks - 1978
  • Jan Willem Jansen - 1991
  • Glen Pinas - 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Ivica Skelin – 2014, 2015
  • Erik Braal – 2017, 2018
DBL Defensive Player of the Year
DBL Statistical Player of the Year
DBL Most Improved Player
DBL MVP Under 23
DBL All-Rookie Team

Supporters club

The current supporters club was founded on August 26, 1997 under the name Vikings, a nod to the Norse god Donar (Thor). After the club lost Donar from its name, this link became less clear. In 2010 it was decided to change the name of the supporters club to SV Donar (Supporters club Donar). The supporters club had 330 members as of the start of season 2010–11.

List of head coaches
Erik Braal holds the record for most championships won with Donar
Coach From To Honours
Klaas Bruin19671971
Ruud Skála19711973
Hans Perrier19731975
Bob Kloppenburg19761977
Jim Parks19771978
Pat Stewawrt19781979
Chuck Campione19791980
Jan Kamman1980
Maarten van Gent198019821 Dutch League
Bill Sheridan19821983-
Jan Kamman19831985-
Jan Castelein19851986-
Rupport Clements19861988-
Jan Willem Jansen19881991-
Marten Scheepstra19911992-
Glenn Pinas19932002-
Ton Boot200320071 Dutch League, 1 NBB Cup
Pep Clarós20072008–
Marco van den Berg200820111 Dutch League, 1 NBB Cup
Hakim Salem2011December 2012–
Ivica SkelinJanuary 201320151 Dutch League, 2 NBB Cups, 1 Supercup
Erik Braal201520203 Dutch League, 2 NBB Cups, 2 Supercups
Ivan Rudež2020-–

References
  1. "Donar: "Een verslavingsgraad van 98 procent"". Worldbasketballnews.nl. 2014-05-31. Archived from the original on 2014-09-03. Retrieved 2014-06-26.
  2. "Capitals wordt GasTerra Flames" (in Dutch). RTV Noord. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  3. "GasTerra Flames landskampioen". RTV Noord. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  4. "GasTerra Flames toegelaten tot voorronden Euroleague" (in Dutch). GasTerra Flames. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  5. "Basketbalbeker voor GasTerra Flames" (in Dutch). AD. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  6. "Basketballers ZZ Leiden kampioen". NOS.nl. 2011-12-21. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  7. "Salem nieuwe coach GasTerra Flames" (in Dutch). NOS.nl. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  8. "Coach Salem ontslagen bij Flames" (in Dutch). NOS.nl. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  9. "Ivica Skelin nieuwe coach GasTerra Flames" (in Dutch). GasTerra Flames. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  10. "GasTerra stopt als hoofdsponsor Flames" (in Dutch). RTV Noord. 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  11. "GasTerra Flames verovert nationale beker". Basketball.nl. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  12. "Vierde landstitel voor GasTerra Flames". iBasketball. 2014-05-25. Archived from the original on 2014-06-02. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  13. "Bericht van het bestuur: een vakantie-update" (in Dutch). Gasterraflames.nl. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  14. "Legendarische naam Donar terug". Groninger Internet Courant. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  15. "Jason Dourisseau terug bij Donar". 21 July 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  16. "Historische Europese campagne basketballers Donar eindigt in halve finale". NU.nl. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  17. "Donar en Braal gaan uit elkaar". Basketball League. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  18. "Coach Ivan Rudež voor drie seizoenen vastgelegd" [Coach Ivan Rudež signed for three seasons] (in Dutch). Donar.nl. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  19. "Donar kan opnieuw terecht in Leek voor de Europacup". RTV Noord. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  20. "Groninger basketballers spelen Champions League in Fryslân". Omrop Fryslân. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  21. "Landskampioenen, bekerwinnaars en competitiewinnaars" (in Dutch). J-dus.com. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  22. "Super Cup" (in Dutch). J-dus.com. Retrieved 16 March 2018.

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