85:58 win against BG Baskets Hamburg
The new German Cup winners RSV Lahn-Dill are in the final for the German Championship 2017. They took the win by storm in the third and deciding Playoff semi-final against BG Baskets Hamburg after their 59:53 win the day before, now scoring 85:58 (19:14/41:34/65:44). This means they will be playing against Thuringia Bulls, who won against the Rhine River Rhinos on Saturday already.
“We had a great run today and took advantage of gaps in Hamburg’s defence.” Ralf Neumann was more than happy about the ticket to the final. After the devastating 58:59-defeat in the first game of the series of three, the relief was noticeable. “We had our backs to the wall, but managed the pressure well. We countered with a great defence and were able to play a lot more freely.” said Zeltinger.
The game was high class and quick from the start. Same as the day before, RSV started off with a lot of pressure, but then began sputtering a bit at 12:6 (6th min), before the guests caught up at 14:14. But this time, RSV were not to be stopped. After a three by Jake Williams to 21:17 (11th min), Tommy Boehme started a 16:6-run leading to 37:23 (18th min). But how strong Hamburg really were, showed their fighting back before the break. Two baskets by Goncin and another three by Williams melted the gap down to seven points.
After the changeover the Hamburg team got even closer after two middle distance baskets by Hiroaki Kozai, getting the 41:38 (21st min). But RSV stayed strong and kept their confidence, and Piotr Luszynski took over. The centre got eleven points in three minutes. His three scoring the 52:40 (26th min) was only topped by another three by Captain Michael Paye (55:40). Both players had great games with 26 points and 18 assists for Paye and 33 points and 10 rebounds for Luszynski.
In the end, it were Joe Bestwick and Jan Haller who nullified three further threes by Hamburg, securing the final 85:58 score. “We had a strong weekend, but only a step further now. Of course we are happy that we can get into the final with Thueringen. It will be hard, but not just for us.” says Zeltinger. The first game of the best-of-three series will take place on Saturday at 19:30 in August-Bebel-Sporthalle Wetzlar.
Lahn-Dill: Piotr Luszynski (33), Michael Paye (26/1 Dreier), Thomas Böhme (14/1), Joe Bestwick (4), Dirk Köhler (4), Philipp Häfeli (2), Jan Haller (2), Annabel Breuer, Nico Dreimüller, Björn Lohmann.
Hamburg: Ghazian Choudhry (18/2), Jake Williams (18/2), Hiroaki Kozai (13/1), Nik Goncin (6), Reo Fujimoto (2), Kai Möller (1), Anne Patzwald, Karlis Podnieks, Mitsugu Chiwaki (n.e.), Matthias Heimbach (n.e.).