At the Hamburg Towers there were several reasons to celebrate two days before Christmas. While warming up the morning before the 99:90 (46:40) in the EuroCup in Trient / Italy, the colleagues Maik Kotsar sang a “Happy Birthday” for their 25th birthday. But before the third international success, the Center made the biggest gift to Hamburg’s basketball players themselves.
Basket for Istanbul – Kotsar stays!
Fenerbahce had offered the Estonian a well-paid contract. Because the German national player Danilo Barthel (30) is out there for a long time after knee surgery, the EuroLeague club wanted to sign the 2.11-meter man as a replacement.
Kotsar’s one-year contract (until 2022) has no exit clause for the EuroLeague. So Fener wanted to pay a six-figure transfer fee. But Towers sports director Marvin Willougby (43) stayed tough, even if the interest is a compliment for the work in Wilhelmsburg.
No wonder! Kotsar cannot be replaced as a key player for Hamburg in the BBL and the EuroCup. The fact that he continues to show top performances (15 points / 11 rebounds yesterday) in spite of the missed opportunity underlines his character.
But now it is clear at the latest: Keeping Kotsar in the summer is practically impossible …
Also because of his dominance, the Towers secured the points at the bottom in Trento. An offensive fireworks display from Caleb Homesley (27 points) and Jaylon Brown (20) in the final quarter brought the decision. Trainer Pedro Calles: “I liked our mentality. But we have to get better on the defensive and have again allowed 90 points from the opponent. “
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