Gornik Walbrzych vs Anwil Wloclawek on 17 January
On January 17th, 2026, the PLK tournament will showcase an intriguing clash between Górnik Wałbrzych and Anwil Włocławek at the iconic Wałbrzych Arena. Both teams are locked in a battle for crucial standings in this highly competitive league. Górnik Wałbrzych, struggling to keep pace, faces a strong Anwil Włocławek side aiming to push for a top spot. The stakes couldn't be higher, with both teams hungry for a win to stay within reach of their season goals.
Górnik Wałbrzych: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Górnik Wałbrzych has had a challenging stretch of late, with only two wins in their last five games. The team relies heavily on a balanced offensive approach, but they struggle with consistency in their shooting percentages, particularly from beyond the arc. With a field goal percentage of just 43.2% and a 3-point shooting rate of 31.8%, their offense is often bogged down in half-court sets. Their primary tactic involves slowing the pace of the game and creating opportunities for their key players, especially in the post. Rebounds (especially offensive) remain crucial for Górnik, with a notable 38.7 rebounds per game, which they aim to use to generate second-chance points.
The key player for Górnik is their point guard, who orchestrates the offense and often acts as the team’s emotional leader. However, their center, who has been struggling with form, must step up to provide support on both ends of the court. Injuries have hit the squad hard, with two key role players sidelined, shifting the burden onto the remaining veterans. The lack of depth in their rotation has made it difficult for Górnik to sustain high-level performances across four quarters.
Anwil Włocławek: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Anwil Włocławek comes into this match in impressive form, winning four out of their last five games. Their offense is dynamic, led by an explosive backcourt that excels in transition and fast-break points. Anwil’s shooting has been their strength, with a high field goal percentage of 47.5% and a solid 3-point shooting rate of 36.4%. They thrive in an up-tempo game, pushing the ball in transition to capitalize on mismatches. Their defense, however, has been a bit leaky at times, conceding 82.4 points per game, but they make up for it with aggressive playmaking and pressure on the ball. Anwil's ability to score quickly will be key in this matchup, and they’ll need to maintain their shooting efficiency to overcome Górnik's slower style of play.
The centerpiece of Anwil’s offense is their shooting guard, a player with remarkable scoring ability and a knack for hitting clutch shots from the perimeter. Their big man in the paint has also been dominant, averaging 9.4 rebounds per game and serving as a physical presence on both ends. Anwil’s depth gives them an edge in this matchup, with a rotation that has been effective at maintaining energy throughout the game. However, they will need to guard against lapses in defensive discipline, particularly against Górnik’s slow but methodical style of offense.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
In the last five encounters between these two teams, Anwil Włocławek has won four of them, but Górnik Wałbrzych has often pushed them to the brink, particularly in their last meeting, where Anwil secured a narrow 86-82 victory. Historically, Anwil’s offense has been too much for Górnik’s defense, but Górnik has managed to stay competitive by capitalizing on Anwil’s defensive weaknesses. The nature of their previous encounters suggests a high-scoring affair, with Anwil’s athleticism overcoming Górnik’s physical style. The psychological edge, however, might lie with Górnik, who have proven resilient in the face of adversity, showing they can handle pressure.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The most crucial battle in this match will be the duel between Górnik’s center and Anwil’s big man in the paint. Górnik's ability to limit Anwil’s second-chance points will be key to keeping the game close. Additionally, Górnik’s point guard must control the tempo of the game and prevent Anwil’s backcourt from running rampant in transition. If Górnik can slow down the pace and limit turnovers, they may have a chance to disrupt Anwil’s high-octane offense.
Another area to watch will be Anwil’s perimeter defense. If Górnik can knock down timely 3-pointers and force Anwil to defend the arc, it could create space for their interior game. Górnik’s ability to crash the boards and prevent Anwil from getting easy fast-break opportunities will be decisive. Anwil will need to exploit their speed and shooting to overwhelm Górnik early in the game.
Match Scenario and Prediction
The most likely scenario in this match is one where Anwil Włocławek looks to dictate the tempo, pushing the ball in transition and attempting to wear down Górnik. Górnik, in turn, will try to slow the game down, limit possessions, and exploit Anwil’s defensive lapses in half-court sets. With Górnik’s struggles from beyond the arc and Anwil’s superior shooting efficiency, it’s hard to see how Górnik will keep pace unless they can dominate the glass and limit turnovers.
Prediction: Anwil Włocławek will emerge victorious in this matchup, though Górnik will likely keep it close in the early stages. The final score could be in the range of 90-82 in favor of Anwil, with the key difference being their superior shooting efficiency and fast-break points. Górnik’s defensive setup will make it a tough contest, but Anwil’s depth and scoring ability should give them the upper hand.
Final Thoughts
This game will answer whether Górnik Wałbrzych can slow down the high-powered offense of Anwil Włocławek and grind out a result or if Anwil will impose their fast-paced style and secure another comfortable win. The battle of tempo and shooting efficiency will likely determine the outcome, but Górnik’s defense will need to step up if they are to have any chance of springing an upset.
