The newcomer has learned the hard way in the Bayernliga, but now all games have been canceled –
4 hours ago
Nina and Matthias Rossa start in the SpVgg Jahn Forchheim team – but separately, “because it’s more relaxed for everyone,” as the team captain says. © private / Ralf Rödel
Nina and Matthias Rossa start in the SpVgg Jahn Forchheim team – but separately, “because it’s more relaxed for everyone,” as the team captain says.
“It was an inherent adventure,” said captain Nina Rossa. After several years at the top of the Upper Franconian regional league, the SpVgg Jahn badminton team finally dared to climb the Bayern league after a season with no loss points (22: 0 points, only one game could not be played because it was canceled). Corona has made the adventure even more exciting.
But with a kind of tension that you don’t necessarily need. Because on the one hand you have two players in the squad who are not among the youngest in their early 50s, on the other hand the preliminary round was downright chaotic. Some clubs in the twelve-league have not played any games at all because they did not have access to a hall, many other matches were postponed until the interruption.
Jahn, meanwhile, had played all three scheduled games up to the “Lockdown light”. With 2: 6 (BV Bamberg), 1: 7 (Flügelrad Nürnberg III) and 0: 8 (TV Unterdürrbach) there were heavy defeats. “We were close to individual successes in a few games, but we realized that we only have a chance if we fight like lions for every ball,” said Nina Rossa.
The rallies are much longer
And her husband Matthias, the Forchheim men’s number one, adds: “It’s a completely different style of play than in the BOL, the rallies are much longer and extremely demanding. And mistakes can hardly be afforded.”
So it was the hardship that the newbie had to pay. And one that they can get out. Because after the round was interrupted, the Bavarian Badminton Association (BBV) decided to cancel all previous games. In the new calendar year – if the pandemic permits – start from “zero”.
So a new chance for Jahn, who at least doesn’t lack one thing: enthusiasm. Nina Rossa: “We haven’t been frustrated so far. Despite the clear defeats, the whole team cheered each other on until the last rally.”
Kader was rejuvenated
The so far somewhat outdated squad with two men over the age of 50 has received urgently needed blood refreshment this year through the home-grown Jan Schwarzmann and Johanna Paul, who is in the club for the second year – one reason why the promotion option was withdrawn this year. The two are in their early 20s and should now prove themselves to the more experienced players.
For her and the other Jahn players, it could initially only be about heading for personal success, according to Nina Rossa. That could mean different things: sometimes keeping a sentence halfway open, sometimes winning one or even a whole game. If everyone succeeds in improving, the team could perhaps avoid relegation overall. The team captain: “We have now learned a lot in these three games, we notice what is important and know that we don’t have to hide.”
It’s just annoying that there is now a training break again and you can only keep fit at home. Badminton-specific exercises are flat for now. Matthias Rossa hopes that after the end of this sporty lockdown, the district’s halls will open a little earlier for the clubs this time than in autumn. There were always new reasons not to allow training to take place.
Costly alternative
As a result, badminton players, for example, had to switch to commercial operators in neighboring towns who, on the one hand, could not show any better hygiene concepts and, on the other hand, cost money.
The Rossa couple, who met at badminton, have other “handicaps”: their four-year-old twins. Normally, the parents shared the supervision of the games (they take turns in training), but in this abnormal 2020 season some of the little ones weren’t even allowed in the hall, and they’re not supposed to be with grandma and grandpa either.
But the children are not the reason that the two do not play mixed in the team together. Nina Rossa puts it diplomatically: “It’s easier for both of us when we don’t play together. It’s more relaxed for both of us.”
HOLGER PETER
