MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg vs. Hamburg: World Women’s Day Game & Injury Updates | #LUDHAM

LUDWIGSBURG, Germany – The MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg are preparing for a challenging matchup against the Veolia Towers Hamburg on Sunday, March 8th, at 6:00 PM local time (18:00 CET). Beyond the on-court battle, the game will be a focal point for International Women’s Day celebrations at the MHPArena, with the team sporting a special jersey and highlighting female leadership throughout the organization.

The core element of Sunday’s game, according to the team, is togetherness. Solidarity, community and a unified front are crucial for the RIESEN, especially given their current injury situation. A quintet of players – Yorman Polas Bartolo, Toms Skuja, Keeshawn Kellman, Johannes Patrick, and Lukas Modic – who were unavailable for the game in Neu-Ulm, are not expected to return for the contest against Hamburg. The status of Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann, who suffered a minor thigh injury during the recent Swabian Derby, is also uncertain. With limited time for recovery and adjustments after a busy schedule, the RIESEN will rely on their available players, home-court advantage, and remaining resources.

Despite currently holding a 14th-place position in the league standings, the Veolia Towers Hamburg are a team on the rise. They have won seven of their last ten games and are proving to be a formidable opponent. Their recent schedule has been particularly demanding, with victories against Berlin (twice), Ulm, Chemnitz, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, and Braunschweig within the last ten games. Close losses to Bonn, Würzburg, and Vechta demonstrate their competitive spirit, mirroring the tight contest in their previous encounter with Ludwigsburg.

Historically Competitive: Ludwigsburg’s Record Against Hamburg

The MHP RIESEN secured an 88-84 victory over the Veolia Towers in their previous meeting in late November. That game was closely contested, with Elijah Hughes leading the RIESEN with 24 points and a 13-2 run in the third and fourth quarters proving decisive. Historically, Ludwigsburg has dominated this matchup, winning 13 of 15 games against Hamburg, including victories in the BBL Pokal (2022) and the Play-Ins (2024).

However, past results are unlikely to dictate the outcome of Sunday’s game. Hamburg arrives in Ludwigsburg well-rested and bolstered by recent roster additions. Having had a bye on Friday, they have had time to prepare for this contest, with previously postponed games against FC Bayern Basketball, Jena, Rostock, and Trier still on the schedule. The Towers have improved significantly since the start of the season and are now considered legitimate playoff contenders. Key additions like Devon Daniels IV (15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists) and Martin Breunig (8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds) were already part of the team in the first matchup, while Ross Williams (13.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists) joined in December and Karl Gamble II recently arrived, set to make his debut against the RIESEN. Zacharie Perrin is currently unavailable for Hamburg.

A Celebration of Equality and Gender Justice

Beyond the basketball, the game will be a celebration of International Women’s Day. The MHP RIESEN will wear a special jersey, and the organization is committed to showcasing female leadership in various roles. Wherever possible, all volunteer positions at the game – including those at the scorer’s table, in scouting, within the CASMOS Media RIESEN-Fanradio, and at the fan shop – will be filled by women. Radio ENERGY DJ Ruffmatic will play exclusively songs by female artists, and the easyCredit BBL has assigned female referees Anne Panther and Aleksandra Pawlik to the game, with Theresa Maier serving as a potential commissioner.

The RIESEN’s path to victory begins with their own performance and a “Next-Man-Up” mentality, much like the debut of Maxwell Dongmo Temoka in the previous encounter. The home-court advantage will also be a significant factor.

Key Numbers for Game Day | #LUDHAM

16.0 vs. 16.2 – Turnovers per game: Ludwigsburg and Hamburg, along with Trier, are among the most careless teams with the ball. Minimizing turnovers will be crucial for success.

5:5 / 7:3 – Wins in the last ten games: The standings reflect the current form of both teams, with Ludwigsburg benefiting from a strong start to the season and Hamburg finding their stride recently.

3 vs. 4 – Player acquisitions: Ludwigsburg and Hamburg are historically active teams in the transfer market. The RIESEN (Toms Skuja, Darnell Edge, Gavin Schilling) may add players in March, while the Towers (Martin Breunig, Devon Daniels IV, Ross Williams, Karl Gamble II) have utilized all available licenses.

Game Information

MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg vs. Veolia Towers Hamburg

Sunday, March 8, 2026, Tip-Off 6:00 PM CET

MHPArena, Schwieberdinger Straße 30, 71636 Ludwigsburg

Live on Dyn | Live on YouTube | Tickets at riesen-tickets.de

With a Landtag election also taking place on Sunday, it promises to be a Super Sunday in Ludwigsburg. The RIESEN will be looking to cap off the day with a crucial home victory.