split
Now it’s time to join forces. The Giessen 46ers still have ten games to play before the end of the main round. The basket hunters from Lahnstadt can still prevent the imminent relegation from the basketball league on their own. This requires victories – and only one counts on Saturday in Heidelberg.
Who would have thought that possible?! The Baskets from Oldenburg, recently decorated with spectacular victories and also involved in the relegation battle, give their business cards to the Gießen 46ers at the bottom of the table – and get a smack on the cap in the east hall. The 88:75 was balm for the wounds of the Central Hessians, who are of course grateful for every win in the difficult final phase of the season in the fight to survive in the basketball league. The next one has to be booked on Saturday at 6 p.m. with Heidelberg, who has probably already been saved (live on MagentaSport), otherwise the transition to second class is getting closer and closer.
Starting position: One thing is certain: A crowd of hardcore fans of the Giessen 46ers will make their way to the city beautifully situated on the Neckar to do their part to make it happen with the seventh win in the 25th BBL game of the 2021/22 works. The 88:75 against Oldenburg last Saturday was the sign of life hoped for by those responsible in the relegation battle. On the other hand, the number of spectators in the “do-or-die game” in the east hall was sobering, with only 1664 visitors wanting to see it, although the full capacity of 3752 seats was possible. “We needed the win. Every win is important for us at this point,” says 46ers coach Strobl, describing the state of mind of his team. With 12:36 points and 17th place, she takes a direct relegation zone and is three wins behind four tied teams, who are ranked 16th to 13th.
Opponent : The promoted team from Heidelberg has already achieved the magical ten wins (12th place) in the relegation battle with the 71:65 home win against bottom of the table Frankfurt (12th place), which could be enough to save them. Coach Frankie Ignjatovic’s team still have eight games to play. As during the entire season, the two Heidelberg guards Jordan Geist and Rob Lowery dominated the action in the SNP Dome in a direct duel between two relegation candidates. Controlling the players who create their own throw may be a key to success. Also unpleasant are the variable acting “big ones” with Max Ugrai, Shy Ely and Brekkott Chapman, who constantly pose a threat in attack and go to work courageously at the back.
We have to defend as well as we can as a team.
Personal: The 46ers still have to do without their guard TJ Williams, who is still suffering from a torn knee ligament. In addition, almost a handful of players struggled with aches and pains throughout the week. As of Wednesday, some of the players haven’t been able to train properly. Phillip Fayne, Nuni Omot, Kendale McCullum and JD Miller spoke. “We’ll have to see if they’re ready on Saturday. It’s not optimal – the whole season isn’t going optimally,” explains Gießen’s head coach Strobl. Kyan Anderson was recently absent from Heidelberg due to illness. As is well known, the guard switched from Gießen to the Neckarstadt team during the season.
Strobl says: “Heidelberg is a very strong team with a lot of good players who can score very well: Geist, Lowery, Chapman. A dangerous team. And their place in the table says a lot about how well they’ve played this season. They have a certain experience and continuity, a number of players like Ely, Ugrai or Würzner who were in the squad last season. We’re not good one-on-one defenders. We have to defend as well as we can as a team. If we can do that, we have a chance against every team.”
