Cotton the Hero: Vienna Beats Ilirija in Historic AdmiralBet ABA League Debut

2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Group B, Round 1, Friday, 3 October 2025:

VIENNA – Ilirija 85:84 (22:18, 26:19, 17:33, 20:14)

PHOTO GALLERY

POST-GAME COMMENTS

Game recap: Vienna celebrated a historic night as they defeated Ilirija 85:84 in what was the first ever AdmiralBet ABA League game for both teams. The clash in Vienna turned into a real basketball spectacle, filled with momentum shifts, drama, and a breathtaking finish that will be remembered for years to come.

The home side controlled the first half, playing with great energy in front of their fans. With Gregor Glas leading the way, Vienna built an 11-point lead at halftime – 48:37. Glas poured in 14 points in the opening 20 minutes, proving to be unstoppable for the Ilirija defense.

However, the visitors responded after the break. Ilirija put on an offensive show in the 3rd quarter, scoring an impressive 33 points in just 10 minutes. With Wendell Green Jr orchestrating the offense and Robert Jurković hitting from deep, the Slovenian side turned the game around to enter the final quarter ahead at 65:70.

The last 10 minutes brought a dramatic battle. The lead changed hands multiple times, and the game went down to the very last seconds.

Key moments: At 83:83 with just 26 seconds left, Ilirija’s Wendell Green Jr went to the free-throw line but managed to hit only one of his two attempts, putting the guests in front 83:84. That left Vienna with one final chance, and it was Tekele Cotton who seized the moment. Cotton drove through Ilirija’s defense and knocked down a tough mid-range 2-pointer with just 3 seconds on the clock, sending the crowd into a frenzy – 85:84.

Ilirija still had one last shot to win the game. After a timeout, the ball went to Robert Jurković, who had been perfect from the three-point line until that point (5/5). But his final attempt under heavy pressure missed the mark, and Vienna sealed a historic 85:84 victory.

Man of the match: While Cotton delivered the decisive basket, the Man of the Match honors belong to Gregor Glas, who had a career night in his ABA League debut. Glas scored 27 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists, finishing with an index rating of 27 – a performance that gave Vienna the foundation for their first triumph.

Can’t trick the stats: At the end of the day, all numbers fade compared to the one moment that mattered most – Tekele Cotton’s clutch 2-pointer that decided the game. One shot, one basket, and Vienna wrote ABA League history.