Judoka from TSV Abensberg and the fans have free travel to the Bundesliga finals. The unfamiliar termination has met with criticism.
By Alexander Roloff
Like four years ago, the judoka from TSV Abensberg (white combat suit) will meet Hamburger JT (blue combat suit) in the Bundesliga semi-finals. On Sunday the Babons want to force the better end for themselves. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt
Abensberg.The national judo record champion TSV Abensberg travels to the Bundesliga finals in Leipzig with a good deal of tension. The mission is clear: The Babonen are striving to win the 22nd German team title. A small group of fans is on board for support. There are special rules to be observed on site.
#The chief organizer complains in advance of organizational chaos: the 2G rule applies to viewers. Accredited competitors and supervisors must – in accordance with the regulations of the German Judo Association (DJB) in conjunction with the current Corona ordinance of the Free State of Saxony, regardless of vaccination status and proof of recovery – present a current rapid antigen test on the day of the competition when entering the hall. This should have been completed the day before at the latest.
# In the hall, all persons with the exception of the judoka currently fighting and the referee involved must wear a mask. According to Oberndorfer, the regulations will not have a negative effect on the planned Babonen squad. The regular employees from the Bundesliga season were all vaccinated or recovered.
#The Babonen’s chief organizer doesn’t like the fact that the finals are scheduled for a Sunday: “The return journey is due relatively quickly after the end of the tournament. The usual cooperation between the clubs involved does not apply. ”
#The fan meeting is omitted
#The date is also a thorn in the side of the fan club chairman Ernst Hueber: The Final Four is always a welcome opportunity to exchange ideas with the enthusiastic spectators and fighters from other teams afterwards. Saturdays are predestined for the final. “You just like to be with the other fans,” said Hueber.
# Good friendships have formed over the years. Now usual ceremonies would suffer from the Sunday appointment. “Most of them have to go home after the tournament. The charm of the event is lost. ”Hueber himself is not in Leipzig. For scheduling reasons, he will keep his fingers crossed from a distance. He reckons that around 20 fans will travel with the team.
# Two years ago, a similar number of supporters would have cheered on winning the 21st Bundesliga title in Esslingen.
#The fans associate less fond memories with the Leipzig sports hall: four years ago the Abensberg judoka failed in the semifinals at the Hamburg JT. The Babones will also meet their rivals from the north in the semi-finals on Sunday. In the possible final, there would be a meeting with long-term rivals KSV Esslingen or JKC Potsdam.
#The form of the day decides
#Hueber considers the chances of winning the 22nd title to be given: “Hamburg is a strong opponent with a homogeneous team. We are at eye level. The form of the day will decide. ”In a possible final with KSV Esslingen, the cards would be similarly evenly distributed, says Hueber. He assumes that the German fighters will tip the scales.
#Judo talent Kevin Abeltshauser is forced to be passive. An elbow injury put the fighter in the 66-kilogram class out of action since August. Appearances in the Bundesliga South were not possible. “I’m training again and I’m on the right track,” said Abeltshauser. The Final Four tournament comes too early for a possible comeback.
#In Leipzig he is there as a fan: “Of course I support the troupe,” said Abeltshauser. He is convinced: “The way we are set up, we can win the title.”
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