Górnik Wałbrzych is a Polish men's basketball team, based in Wałbrzych, southwestern Poland, currently in Polish division I (second-tier league). Name 'Górnik' stands for 'Miners' as the city of Walbrzych was known for its thriving mining industry until the early 90s.
| Górnik Wałbrzych | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | "Miners" | ||
| Leagues | Division I (tier-two league) | ||
| Founded | 1946 | ||
| History | Górnik Trans.eu Wałbrzych 2016–present | ||
| Arena | Aqua Zdrój | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Location | Wałbrzych, Poland | ||
| Team colors | White Blue | ||
| Main sponsor | Trans.eu | ||
| President | None (4 equal members of board) | ||
| Head coach | Łukasz Grudniewski | ||
| Team captain | Bartłomiej Ratajczak | ||
| Ownership | Gornik Walbrzych 2010 Association | ||
| Championships | 2 Polish League | ||
| Retired numbers | None | ||
| Website | https://www.gornik.walbrzych.pl/ | ||
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History edit
Górnik was founded in 1946. 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 Górnik's basketball team were the 1980s. In 1981, Górnik was Polish league runner-up, in 1982 it won its first championship. In 1983 and 1986, the club was a runner-up again. Górnik won its second Polish league title in 1988. Then, in the 1990s, coal-mining industry in the city of Wałbrzych collapsed and, lacking sponsorship, Górnik started to decline. In 1995, the White and Blues left the top division due to poor financing, despite finishing 4th. Good times returned in the 2006–2007 season, when Górnik, with a new sponsor and under the name Victoria-Górnik, won promotion to the elite Dominet Basket Liga. However, it faced relegation to Division I in 2008–2009 season.
From 2009 through 2011 Górnik 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). Górnik spent three seasons in Division III and won promotion in 2014. From 2014 through 2017 Górnik was contending in Division II and planned to return to Division I. In 2017–18 season, the White and Blues, 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 Śląsk Wrocław.
Season 2019-20 was suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland. At that time, few games shy to close the regular season, Górnik 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 edit
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 edit
Seasons edit
| Season | Tier | League | Pos | Head Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | 2 | Division I | 2nd | Grudniewski |
| 2020–21 | 2 | Division I | 2nd | Grudniewski |
| 2019–20 | 2 | Division I | 1st | Grudniewski |
| 2018–19 | 2 | Division I | 8th | Radomski |
| 2017–18 | 3 | Division II | 2nd | Radomski |
| 2016–17 | 3 | Division II | Lost in quarter-finals | Chlebda |
| 2015–16 | 3 | Division II | Lost in quarter-finals | Chlebda |
| 2014–15 | 3 | Division II | Lost in second round | Chlebda |
| 2013–14 | 4 | Division III | Won play-offs | Chlebda |
| 2012–13 | 4 | Division III | 7th in Wroclaw Regional League | Chlebda |
| 2011–12 | 4 | Division III | 7th in Wroclaw Regional League | Chlebda |
| 2010–11 | 2 | Division I | 15th | Chlebda |
| 2009–10 | 2 | Division I | 14th | Chlebda, Chodkiewicz (sacked) |
| 2008–09 | 1 | PLK | 14th | Młynarski, Adamek (sacked), Chudeusz (sacked) |
| 2007–08 | 1 | PLK | 13th | Czerniak |
| 2006–07 | 2 | Division I | 2nd | Czerniak |
| 2005–06 | 2 | Division I | 10th | Adamek |
| 2004–05 | 2 | Division I | 12th | Adamek, Krzykała (sacked) |
| 2003–04 | 3 | Division II | 1st | Krzykała |
| 2002–03 | 3 | Division II | 5th | Młynarski |
| 2001–02 | 3 | Division II | 4th | Młynarski |
| 2000–01 | 2 | Division I | 11th | Chodkiewicz |
| 1999–00 | 2 | Division I | 3rd | Chodkiewicz |