The Gießen 46ers start the playoff semi-final against Vechta as a clear underdog. All the more so because the people of Central Hesse are struggling with injuries. If they defy all odds, they will be rewarded with promotion to the Bundesliga – at least in terms of sport.
A hype has arisen in Gießen. The 46ers are back on everyone’s lips. Just one year after being relegated from the top German division, the basketball players from Central Hesse are preparing to make it back up. But the two biggest tasks still await the 46ers.
Vechta is the clear favorite for promotion
First to the sports: After a strong regular round (fourth place), the team of coach Branislav (known as “Frenki”) Ignjatovic knew how to convince in the first playoff round. The Mittelhessen made short work of the Dresden Titans. Three games, three wins: That’s called a “sweep” in basketball.
But now – with all due respect for Dresden – a completely different caliber is waiting for the Giessen team. Vechta is THE team in the 2nd league Pro A, has won all of its home games in the season and finished first in the regular round. “Vechta is the club that started the season with the clear goal of promotion. With the appropriate budget and the necessary infrastructure,” said Ignjatovic. Game one of the best-of-five series will kick off on Friday evening (7:30 p.m.).
Injuries and contract snags
In the past few days, the starting position in Central Hesse has not necessarily improved before the semi-finals. Point guard Luca Kahl tore a ligament during training. The season for the rotation player is well over. However, the injury-related end of the season by center Stefan Fundic, which the Gießener Allgemeine Zeitung reports, should weigh even more heavily. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed.
Because the center and ex-Vechta professional Enosch Wolf also have a contractual agreement that he is not allowed to play against his former employer, the 46ers will probably have to work a lot with small staff. So Vechta would also have an advantage when playing under the basket, in the fight for the second ball.
This is how the semi-final series works
Gießen 46ers and Rasta Vechta will decide in a best-of-five series who will make it into the final of the 2nd Liga Pro A. Whoever wins three games first not only fights for the championship, but is also rewarded as a finalist with promotion to the BBL. The games are always alternately played in Vechta and the Giessen East Hall. Giessen’s first home game is scheduled for Sunday (6 p.m.).
License subject to conditions
If the David from Central Hesse somehow manages to bring the Goliath from Lower Saxony to its knees, the promotion is sealed in terms of sport, but not yet in dry cloths. The 46ers only received the license for the basketball Bundesliga under certain conditions. By the end of May, the club must collect enough sponsorship contracts to meet the financial requirements of the basketball league.
A few weeks ago, an alleged insider report raised doubts about the financial clout of the 46ers. The fixed deposit account was empty, the financial situation was desolate, they said. The club disagreed.
Managing director Jonathan Kollmar was recently confident that Gießen would raise the necessary sums for the first division. The hype surrounding sporting achievements also attracts potential sponsors. A surprise win against Vechta would come at just the right time.
2023-05-19 09:02:36
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