Semi-final win against Bayern Munich
Hendrik Gruhn has been bursting with self-confidence, which is based on the performance and fighting spirit of his team, not only since the 78:74 semi-final win against FC Bayern Munich. “We weren’t surprised by Munich’s aggressiveness, as many expected. On the contrary, Bavaria was taken by surprise by us,” he clarifies. “We even had the potential to add another shovel.”
Whether tactical instructions or taping his protégés: head coach Hendrik Gruhn (right) has many tasks at the Young Rasta Dragons.
Photo: Bernard Middendorf
The fact that Gruhn has always inculcated his basket hunters to think from game to game should pay off. Mentally, the young dragons had ignored the overpowering favorite Alba Berlin, who was waiting for them in the Top4 final. The team was only focused on the semi-final opponent from Munich. “The attitude of the boys was great. We were always ready, everyone threw themselves on every ball. We came out of the break with a lot of energy,” emphasized Gruhn.
Best performance of the season at the right time
Hendrik Gruhn had a precise plan against Munich. “You had to hope that they didn’t hit a high percentage from the outside,” admits the head coach. Gruhn’s opponent struggled with the tactics after the game. “The Young Rasta Dragons defend disgustingly, they switch a lot,” judged Sebastian Hartmann after the bankruptcy.
“It was our best game by far, our defense’s best performance of the season,” said Gruhn after the end of the game. The plan to keep Bayern below 70 points was successful. “That’s why we were able to take our chance of winning.”
Alba Berlin was in a class of its own
So it was tolerable that the albatrosses dominated the final only 16 hours later with 107:64. “Congratulations to the Berliners who, in my opinion, have the best team in Germany. They built up a lot of pressure very early on, were very disciplined and pulled through the Alba DNA – both offensively and defensively. But we also earned respect,” says Gruhn. The vice championship is a huge success for the whole program.
Continuity since 2019
In the 2022/23 season, the Young Rasta Dragons can rely on continuity. “Our squad started in this formation in 2019 and will remain almost completely together in the next season. You can build on that,” the head coach is certain.
