Górnik Wałbrzych (basketball)

Górnik Wałbrzych is a Polish men's basketball team, based in Wałbrzych, southwestern Poland, currently in Polish division I (second-tier league). Name 'Gornik' stands for 'Miners' as the city of Walbrzych was known for its thriving mining industry until the early 90s.

For association football section, see Górnik Wałbrzych (football).
Górnik Wałbrzych
Nickname"Miners"
LeaguesDivision I (tier-two league)
Founded1946 (1946)
HistoryGórnik Trans.eu Wałbrzych
2016–present
ArenaAqua Zdrój
Capacity2,000
LocationWalbrzych, Poland
Team colorsWhite Blue
        
Main sponsorTrans.eu
PresidentNone (4 equal members of board)
Head coachLukasz Grudniewski
Team captainRafal Glapiński
OwnershipGornik Walbrzych 2010 Association
Championships2 Polish League
Retired numbersNone
WebsiteNone

History

Gornik was founded in 1946, when former German city of Waldenburg become part of Poland. The most famous departments - basketball and football, were opened in the same year. The basketball team in 1956 won promotion to the Division I, and in 1970 it appeared for the first time in the Polish top flight. Best years for Gornik's basketball team were the 1980s.In 1981, Gornik was Polish league runner-up, in 1982 it won its first championship. In 1983 and 1986,the club was a runner-up again. Gornik won its second Polish league title in 1988.Then, in the 1990s, coal-mining industry in the city of Walbrzych collapsed and, lacking sponshorship, Gornik started to decline. In 1995, the White and Blue left top-tier league due to poor financing, despite finishing 4th.Good times returned in the 2006–2007 season, when Gornik, with a new sponsor and under the name Victoria-Gornik, won promotion to the elite Dominet Basket Liga. However, it faced relegation to Division I in 2008–2009 season.

From 2009 through 2011 Gornik played in the Division I but missed playoffs both seasons. Due to financial deterioration, the club restructured and started over from the bottom, Division III (fourth-tier league). Gornik spent three seasons in Division III and won promotion in 2014. From 2014 through 2017 Gornik was contending in Division II and planned to return to Division I. In 2017–18 season, the White and Blue, playing a 7th man rotation, unexpectedly reached the finals and finished second in Division II. Next year, the team advanced to Division I playoffs as 8th seed but lost in the first round (1-3) to no 1 seed Slask Wroclaw.

Season 2019-20 was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland. At that time, few games shy to close the regular season, Gornik was leading the Division I standings with 18–5 record. Later on, it was officially named the 2020 Division I Champion. Nevertheless, was not promoted to top flight.

Honours and Achievements

Polish Basketball League:

  • Winner (2): 1982, 1988
  • Runner-up (3): 1981, 1983, 1986
  • 4th place (1989, 1995)
  • U-18 Polish League Champions (1979,1980)
  • U-20 Polish League Runner-up (2000)
  • U-18 Polish League Bronze Medalist (2003)
  • U-14 Polish League - 4th place (2011)
  • U-18 Polish League - 4th place (2002)

Notable players

Seasons
Season Tier League Pos Head Coach
2019–20 2Division I1st Grudniewski
2018–19 2Division I8th Radomski
2017–18 3Division II2nd Radomski
2016–17 3Division IILost in Quarter-finals Chlebda
2015–16 3Division IILost in Quarter-finals Chlebda
2014–15 3Division IILost in Second Round Chlebda
2013–14 4Division IIIWon play-offs Chlebda
2012–13 4Division III7th in Wroclaw Regional League Chlebda
2011–12 4Division III7th in Wroclaw Regional League Chlebda
2010–11 2Division I15th Chlebda
2009–10 2Division I14th Chlebda, Chodkiewicz (sacked)
2008–09 1PLK14th Młynarski, Adamek (sacked), Chudeusz (sacked)
2007–08 1PLK13th Czerniak
2006–07 2Division I2nd Czerniak
2005–06 2Division I10th Adamek
2004–05 2Division I12th Adamek, Krzykała (sacked)
2003–04 3Division II1st Krzykała
2002–03 3Division II5th Młynarski
2001–02 3Division II4th Młynarski
2000–01 2Division I11th Chodkiewicz
1999–00 2Division I3rd Chodkiewicz
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