60:68-defeat in top game against Thueringen
RSV Lahn-Dill were not able to defeat the table leaders Thueringen at home and therefore still have to live with their second spot. The present top-of-the-table team demonstrated with their 68:60 (14:12/35:24/50:44)-away win that it did not get up by chance.
“We lost deservedly, there’s no two ways about it. We fought, but didn’t use our chances in a manner that was necessary though. We have to learn from our mistakes very quickly, as we want to do a better job at the DRS Cup on the 22nd.” Says a disappointed, but rational RSV-Coach Nicolai Zeltinger, hinting to the possibility of a revenge against Thueringen.
The game started excitingly for about 1,150 spectators. A 0:4 (2nd min) was quickly turned into a 10:8 (8th min) before the match became even as expected. At this point already it was apparent that the hosts were having their difficulties to present themselves in the right light under the basket, whilst the newbies from last year played relaxed and unimpressed.
13 out of 13 free throws, despite a three-points-game by Dirk Koehler, lead to a sobering 24:35 at half time. After the break the team came back though, and within only 32 seconds the score board was turned to a 28:35 (21st min) and after another two minutes it even showed a 36:39.
But in the end the team were again standing in their own way. Bad passes and unnecessary fouls promoted Thueringen’s lead until the end. A last attempt was started when Captain Michael Paye managed a three-point-shot when it pushed the team to a 58:58 (34th min). But when the Swede Joakim Linden managed to turn a shot ut of desperation into a basket (62:58, 38th min), that was it for the Middle Hesse team. With 22 out of 24 the strength of the team was on the free-throw –line.
very impressive was also the performance of the Belorussian Aliaksandr Halouski, who became top-scorer due to his 23 points. On the 22nd of December the team will meet again, and whilst this game did not decide about the final positions at the end of this season, the DRS Cup game will mean all or nothing.
Lahn-Dill: Michael Paye (21/1 Dreier), Joe Bestwick (12), Thomas Böhme (10),
Dirk Köhler (9), Jan Haller (4), Felix Schell (4), Thomas Gundert,
Christopher Huber, Björn Lohmann, Gesche Schünemann, Marco Zwerger.
Thüringen: Aliaksandr Halouski (23), Joakim Linden (18), Raimund Beginskis
(13), Taz Capasso (6), Diana Dadzite (6), Teemu Partanen (2), Karol Szulc,
Jens-Eike Albrecht (n.e.).