Hanzevast Capitals
Encyclopedia
GasTerra Flames Groningen is a Dutch
professional basketball club, playing in the Dutch Basketball League
. The home arena is Martiniplaza
in the city of Groningen. The club won the national championship three times: in 1982, 2004, and 2010. In 2005 and 2011 they won the NBB Cup.
.
In 1973 the club separated from Vindicat and got their first sponsor (Nationale-Nederlanden). This allowed the team to play in the much bigger "Events hall" of the Martinihal. 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 2000/2001, 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.
The club is currently sponsored by GasTerra
, which has a contract until 2014.
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.
Donar has had one retired shirt in its history. Number 10 was not used from 1990 till 2004, as a thank-you to player Martin de Vries (1979-1983, 1986-1990).
(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 2010/2011.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
professional basketball club, playing in the Dutch Basketball League
Dutch Basketball League
The Dutch Basketball League , is the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands. The league has a closed system...
. The home arena is Martiniplaza
Martiniplaza
Martiniplaza is a complex located in the Dutch city of Groningen. It is used as an exhibition complex, theater and Sports Arena. The Sports Arena is the home of the basketball team GasTerra Flames and has a capacity of 4500....
in the city of Groningen. The club won the national championship three times: in 1982, 2004, and 2010. In 2005 and 2011 they won the NBB Cup.
Current Roster
Notable former players
Kees Akerboom 2 seasons: '04-'06 Sebastien Bellin 1 season: '09 Herbert Arnarson 1 season: '99-'00History
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 leagueDutch Basketball League
The Dutch Basketball League , is the highest professional basketball league in the Netherlands. The league has a closed system...
.
In 1973 the club separated from Vindicat and got their first sponsor (Nationale-Nederlanden). This allowed the team to play in the much bigger "Events hall" of the Martinihal. 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 2000/2001, 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.
The club is currently sponsored by GasTerra
GasTerra
GasTerra is a Dutch company that is active in the worldwide trade and supply of natural gas. It is owned by Royal Dutch Shell , ExxonMobil and the Dutch government . Its history dates back to 2005, when the company was created after a split-up of the Gasunie.Before 2005, the Gasunie was authorized...
, which has a contract until 2014.
Names
The club has a rich history of names. One of the former names, Donar, is still widely used by the fans.- 1951 - 1973 : GSSV Donar
- 1973 - 1983 : Nationale-Nederlanden Donar
- 1983 - 1986 : GBV Donar
- 1986 - 1989 : Ahrend Donar
- 1989 - 1993 : VGNN Donar
- 1993 - 1995 : RZG Donar
- 1995 - 1996 : Celeritas/Donar
- 1996 - 1999 : RZG Donar
- 1999 - 2003 : MPC Donar
- 2003 - 2006 : MPC Capitals
- 2006 - 2009 : Hanzevast Capitals
- 2009 - present : GasTerra Flames
Results
The club has won three championships (1982, 2004, 2010) and won the national NBB Cup twice (2005, 2011). In 2010 they became the first Dutch basketball team to take part in the EuroLeague.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.
Donar has had one retired shirt in its history. Number 10 was not used from 1990 till 2004, as a thank-you to player Martin de Vries (1979-1983, 1986-1990).
Supporters club
The current supporters club was founded on August 26, 1997 under the name Vikings, a nod to the Norse god DonarThor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
(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 2010/2011.