61:78-defeat against RSB Team ThueringenTitle-defendants RSV Lahn-Dill had to go home with a 0:1-result after their first game against RSB Team Thueringen. They deservedly lost in a tough game 61:78 (10:18/24:31/45:52) and now have to win the game on Saturday to have a chance of winning the German league on Sunday. “We now have to think one game after another, we need to be patient” said Nicolai Zeltinger after the game, and congratulated the opposition for their strong performance, leaving only little room for Middle Hesse baskets. “It’s a good thing we don’t have to wait for ages for the next game. We have a brilliant team that can handle these kinds of situations.”The game started off nervously on both sides, with RSV leading 7:4 after five minutes and two free-throws by Steve Serio. But RSB’s Aliaksandr Halouski turned the tables quickly when he scored 10 points in a row, changing the score to 16:9 (9th min). He even managed to extend that advance at the start of the second quarter to 20:10 (11th min), before the guests from Wetzlar found back into the game. Just before half-time they managed to shorten the gap to 24:31 (20th min). Lahn-Dill were now putting their hopes on the second half, but the hosting team, coached by Josef Jaglowski, demonstrated great mental strength on that day, keeping up with every RSV-attempt. Lahn-Dill kept running behind, going via 32:38 (25th min) and 43:48 (29th min), and fought more than played to change the game. When they got as close as 49:52 (31st min) it looked like a win was possible, but again the team were standing in their own way, giving away good chances and therefore strengthening their opposition. Before it was mainly Halouski who seemed to be an obstacle, but now Magenheim and Bienek made live hard for the RSV-players. After the 53:63 (35th min) the team had to stop the clock, but even from the free-throw line they didn’t sand a chance against the hosts. Not even six out of six and a three by Steve Serio were enough to change the situation. Best player for the Middle Hesse team was Junior World Champion Thomas Böhme. RSV are now back to zero. They have to win against a Team Thueringen, who won’t feel like the underdog anymore after the game on Saturday. But this Saturday at 4 o’clock they won’t just be playing against five RSV players, but also the fans as player six, and maybe even number seven and eight. Should RSV manage to win this game, either team will have to win the last final on Sunday at 4 o’clock, and if this would be the guests, then RSB Team Thueringen would win the title for the first time in the history of their club.
Thüringen: Aliaksandr Halouski (29), Sebastian Magenheim (18), André Bienek (16), Teemu Partanen (15), Jens-Eike Albrecht, Raimund Beginskis, Dan Highcock, Nerijus Venckus, Bart Nulens (n.e.).
Lahn-Dill: Steve Serio (19/1 Dreier), Thomas Böhme (18), Michael Paye (12), Joe Bestwick (10), Dirk Köhler (2), Jan Haller, Björn Lohmann, Felix Schell, Marco Zwerger, Annabel Breuer (n.e.), Nico Dreimüller (n.e.), Christopher Huber (n.e.).