September 10, 2021, 5:12 p.m.
Basketball Two weeks before the start of the season, the giants Ludwigsburg and Merlins Crailsheim measure their strength at the stadium opening in Ludwigsburg. They hope that it will be very popular: because spectators are allowed again.
Both teams are consistent: Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann (left) continues to play f “class =” thumb-image custom-scaler-default-preview “style =” pointer-events: none “target =” _ blank “>
Both teams are consistent: Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann (left) continues to play for Ludwigsburg, Fabian Bleck for the Merlins Crailsheim.
Photo: Marc Schmerbeck
Martin Romig still sounds relaxed. The managing director of Hakro Merlins Crailsheim is looking forward to the Bundesliga kick-off in two weeks. Above all, he looks forward to games in front of spectators. “The last two years have been weird,” he said of the restrictions and developments during the corona pandemic. So he already enjoyed the test matches in front of up to 800 spectators. “We never had such an interest in the pre-season,” says Romig. “In Baden-Wrttemberg we can now play with 3G rules to the full.”
And so he hopes to be very popular on Saturday too. As guests, the Merlins have more than just a minor role. The giants of Ludwigsburg then celebrate their season opening. The MHP arena opens at 10 a.m., after which there is a youth game between Ludwigsburg and Crailsheim every two hours, before the two Bundesliga teams compete at 7.30 p.m. The 3G rule also applies here and an FFP2 mask is required in the hall.
The development of the Merlins is very promising so far
“My impression is that we’ve put together an interesting group of players who seem to be working,” said Romig. “We have the first test matches against well-known opponents behind us and the development is promising, to be seen positively. After all, we partially played without our starting point guard and center.” New signing TJ Shorts was injured for a while, as was Bogdan Radosavljevic. “Now we’re happy that it’s about points again soon, that’s the icing on the cake,” says Romig.
And so the new coach Sebastian Gleim has settled in well in Crailsheim so far. He was also able to fall back on a partly well-rehearsed core of the team. “We were able to keep five out of six German players and one of the foreigners in Elias Lasisi,” says Romig. That is a comparatively high amount of consistency in what is otherwise a rather short-lived sport, as far as the time at a club is concerned. And yet there was a “new, fresh wind”, says Romig. “We were also able to bring on two players with BBL experience. TJ Shorts is definitely our most spectacular signing.”
Crailsheim cannot yet draw financially from the full
The American has a special responsibility as a point guard. Terrell Harris, who is planned as the second development player, was already active in the Bundesliga – at the Niners Chemnitz. And although the Merlins are playing internationally for the first time in the club’s history this year (Fiba Europe Cup), the squad has not been inflated. “Financially, we cannot yet draw on the full,” says Romig. “We are still in a situation in which we are not too optimistic about our financial planning.” Ultimately, a renewed lockdown or at least a restriction in viewer capacity does not seem to be ruled out.
“But we trust the troops that we also trust to keep up,” said Romig. The goals in Crailsheim remain down to earth. But the managing director wouldn’t mind if his team had a positive surprise like in the past two seasons.
With the giants, a legend returns with Tremmell Darden
A little more than just staying up in the league can be in Ludwigsburg. There you look at least on a playoff place. But two weeks before the start of the season there are still vacancies in the team. Just recently, the newcomers Scottie James Jr. (Forward) and Quinton Hooker (Point Guard) have been bid farewell. Those in charge welcomed Tremmell Darden and provided the 39-year-old forward, who decided to continue his career, with a follow-up contract.
“It is the return of a playful legend,” said Patrick on the return of his former and new number 21. “It is an honor for all of us that we can welcome Tremmell back to Ludwigsburg as a player and as a person. He is one by nature born leader, a winner. “
And so there are at least nine players from the regular formation of the previous season, in which the playoff semi-finals made it, are on the floor with the giants.
Tickets are only available online
At the season opening of the Giants Ludwigsburg, there are five test games between Ludwigsburg and Crailsheim to be seen. Starting with the U12 (11 a.m.) to the Bundesliga teams (7.30 p.m.). A box office is not provided, so a ticket should be bought in advance via the website of the giants.
