LINZ. The ASKÖ BSC 70 Linz starts next Saturday against the Badminton Club Montfort Feldkirch in the new Bundesliga season. All badminton Bundesliga clubs will conduct the Bundesliga under special prevention concepts.
It is definitely a very special time for all of us. From a sporting point of view, the last Bundesliga season went very well for Linz. As the sovereign leader of the table, they qualified for the play-off games. With the lock-down caused by Covid19, play-offs and the badminton season were canceled and no longer started. This meant that the BSC 70 Linz should actually have stayed in the 2nd Bundesliga. But after the ASKÖ Kelag Kärnten had not submitted its nomination for the 2020/2021 season, the BSC 70 Linz was able to take over the place in the 1st Bundesliga, after a resolution of the national conference (presidents of the regional associations).
First game against Feldkirch
The first game goes to the “Ländle” right at the beginning of the season. With Feldkirch you have an equal but tough opponent right from the start. There are no real weak points in the Feldkirch team. The form of the day and the special conditions will be decisive in the games. Currently – due to the worsening of the situation with Covid19 – the squad has not yet been finalized – too much depends on the government measures.
Strong newcomers
ASKÖ BSC 70 Linz is starting the new season with last year’s 2nd Bundesliga squad and two new signings. In order to be able to survive in the 1st Bundesliga, the club looked for reinforcements. Miha Ivanic, who last worked for team champion Pressbaum, has returned to BSC 70 Linz. He had already played for Linz for a number of years before BSC 70 Linz voluntarily relegated to the 2nd Bundesliga. With Luka Ban, an 18-year-old aspiring badminton talent could be found for Linz. With the 16-year-old Emil Dantler, the people of Linz have another rough diamond that continues to be carefully brought to the top.
Goal master play-off
We have a very balanced, internationally experienced team, and also very young players. The first goal this year is that all players stay healthy. A lofty sporting objective is to reach the championship play-offs for the four best teams. The minimum goal should be to remain in the 1st Bundesliga. The teams in the 1st Bundesliga are very even. The current Covid19 situation does not make it any easier, because there are many non-athletic tasks and hurdles. Nevertheless, all Bundesliga clubs and the Austrian Badminton Association have spoken out in favor of the start of the Badminton Bundesliga. We all want to show top badminton sport again, “said chairman Reinhard Hechenberger at the start of the season and wishes team captain Harald Hochgatterer a good start to the season with the first team of BSC 70 Linz.
