BBL: Bayreuth conjures up the “Upper Franconian Hell”

It has been three years since medi Bayreuth was last allowed to play after the regular season. The excursion of the underdogs into the playoffs of the BBL lasted only three short games, then the giants from Ludwigsburg had thrown the Upper Franconians out of the tournament.

As short as the joy was, the fans in Bayreuth are still talking about the 2018 season. There are hardly any players from back then in the current team, which starts the new season on Sunday (26.09.) Against Gießen. There is Bastian Doerth, the 32-year-old point guard of Bayreuth, Andreas Seiferth, the 113 kilo center, and of course Raoul Korner.

Korner: “The playoffs are the dream”

The Viennese has been training the Upper Franconians since 2016 and still remembers the season three years ago well. No wonder he would love to see a season like this again. Best in the coming season: “The playoffs are the dream,” says Korner in an interview with BR.

But reaching the playoffs is not the most important thing for the coach this season. When asked what his primary goal for the season was, he replied: “that we as a team are inspiring the fans again; that they long to come to a hall and experience and feel live basketball again and take these emotions with them.” And adds: “That is what we have been missing massively in the last year and a half.”

Bayreuth’s search for a new sponsor

Enthusiastic fans and a full Upper Franconia hall, that would not only help the Bayreuthers, who finished tenth last season not far from the playoff places, not only in terms of sport.

It would also be an argument that could convince sponsors to join the Bundesliga team. Because this season is the last in which the Bayreuth basketball club will appear with the intent “medi”. It has long been clear that the manufacturer of medical aids will get out of the first division club.

Doreth: Playoff participation “a clearly defined goal”

A bitter financial blow for the club, which has not yet found a replacement. But not only a sold out hall would be a good argument in this search, says Doreth: “It is of course much easier if you play a great season that you crown with the playoff participation at the end,” says the point guard and adds : “I’m not saying that going to the playoff is a must. But it is definitely a clearly defined goal of ours.”

The offensive is on

For that you don’t just need the fans, but of course also a functioning team. In the setup of the game, Doreth alternates with the experienced American Cameron Wells, who, however, is not yet 100 percent fit after his corona infection.

The talent Kay Bruhnke should play a bigger role – just like Philipp Jalalpoor. The German-Iranian has only just taken part in the Olympic Games, but dropped out with Iran after the preliminary round. Janari Joesaar last played in Spain, is a national player for Estonia and someone who doesn’t necessarily need the ball to be effective. In contrast to Marcus Thornton: The shooting guard is one of the most dangerous scorers in the league with his safe throw from distance and the strong pull to the basket. Center Seiferth completes Bayreuth’s strong offensive.