Fans and team celebrate the twelfth Championship
Title-defendants RSV Lahn-Dill managed to turn the finals series from 0:1 to a well-cheered for 2:1. After winning 74:59 on Saturday the team fought even harder for Sunday’s 78:67 (19:19/33:32/53:50) result against RSB Team Thueringen. “This third game has put us through all the highs and lows; we were behind, we got close again, we had to take some hits, and in the end we were able to win against equal opposition. This was brilliant entertainment for the spectators and incredibly straining for everyone.” said very happy RSV-Coach Nicolai Zeltinger after the final whistle.
But despite the celebrations, the team have to give greatest respect to their opposition, who were absolutely equal throughout the series, and who had a great season and who would have deserved the title just as much. Before RBBL-chairman Thomas Henkel (Zwickau), RBBL-referee Georg Hennig (Nienburg) and Wetlar’s Mayor Manfred Wagner were able to hand over the trophy, the visitor watched a copy of Saturday’s game. The hosts were behind 12:14 (7th min) and 24:30 (16th min), thanks to a well playing Andre Bienek, who had moved from Zwickau to Elxleben last autumn. Him and Steve Serio had a level, both scoring two threes after only four minutes. But whilst Bienek kept playing well, the American played fantastically.
Same as the “three B’s” Bestwick-Boehme-Breuer the day before, the 27-year-old made all the difference. Regardless of his position, he scored 41 points for his team, 18 of which successful threes (6/9). In the end it was down to him that his team was able to go into half-time leading. It was again after changeover, that an early decision was made. The audience was going crazy when their team went from 33:34 (21st min) to 48:40 (27th min). But the opposition stayed dangerous, not struggling with Magenheim leaving the court due to his fourth foul nor another one of Serios threes. The game was by far not won yet. Bjoern Lohmann had to leave the game due to getting his 5th foul, but the necessary substitutions Annabel Breuer and Joe Bestwick instantly kicked into full gear and held against the opposition, leading to 55:52 (32nd min) and 65:52 shortly after, turning the gym into a madhouse.
Lahn-Dill: Steve Serio (41/6 Dreier), Thomas Böhme (16), Michael Paye (14), Dirk Köhler (5), Joe Bestwick (2), Annabel Breuer, Christopher Huber, Björn Lohmann, Nico Dreimüller (n.e.), Jan Haller (n.e.), Felix Schell (n.e.), Marco Zwerger (n.e.).
Thüringen: André Bienek (27/2), Alex Halouski (20), Raimund Beginskis (7/1), Dan Highcock (7/2), Teemu Partanen (4), Sebastian Magenheim (2), Nerijus Venckus, Jens-Eike Albrecht, Bart Nulens (n.e.), Marvin Malsy (n.e.).