VECHTA, Germany – The RASTA Vechta U19 team begins its quest for a championship berth this weekend, entering the playoff stage of the Nachwuchs Basketball Bundesliga (NBBL) as a clear favorite. The team will host the Berlin Dreams in Game 1 of a best-of-three series on Sunday at 4:00 PM CET (10:00 AM ET) at the RASTA Gym. Admission is free, offering local fans a chance to witness the start of what RASTA hopes will be a deep playoff run.
This marks a significant step for the young RASTA squad, which successfully navigated the regular season to earn a playoff spot. The team finished third in the North Group with a 9-5 record, trailing only the Baskets Juniors Oldenburg (11-3) and ALBA BERLIN (12-2). The Berlin Dreams secured the sixth and final playoff berth in the North with a 5-9 record.
RASTA Vechta and the Berlin Dreams have already met twice this season. On October 19th, RASTA secured a 79-72 victory after leading by as many as 20 points. Just two days later, in a quick rematch, RASTA again prevailed, winning 78-75 despite a leisurely start that saw them fall behind 0-22. These close contests underscore the competitive nature of the upcoming series.
Head Coach Harm-Ubbo Horst acknowledges the team’s favored status but cautions against complacency. “Yes, we have that role,” Horst said. “That’s only natural given the two wins and our performance in the main round. But we absolutely cannot underestimate the Dreams. Even though we won the games against them, it was a tough fight, which is logical considering our current roster and training situation.”
Horst’s comment alludes to a unique aspect of RASTA’s youth program. In cooperation with the Artland Dragons, the organization prioritizes individual player development, often deploying players across multiple teams – from the easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga to the 2. Regionalliga. This approach, while beneficial for long-term growth, can hinder consistent team cohesion. However, with the playoffs here, the focus is shifting towards a more concentrated effort.
The team is aiming to reach the RSM Ebner Stolz Jugend-TOP4 tournament, scheduled for May 15-17 in Berlin’s Sömmeringhalle. A core group of players – Djairo Bernardina, Michel Schillmöller, and Moritz Grüß – already experienced championship success, having won the NBBL title in 2024. They’ll be looking to cap off their junior careers with another title run.
The playoff schedule is structured as follows: Game 1 will be played on Sunday in Vechta. Game 2 is set for March 22nd at 3:00 PM CET (9:00 AM ET) in Berlin. If necessary, a decisive Game 3 will be held on March 29th at 3:00 PM CET (9:00 AM ET) back in Vechta.
Horst emphasized the need for focus and preparation against a physical Berlin Dreams squad. “As I said, we have to take the Berliners absolutely seriously. They have eight players born in 2007 in their roster, so they are already physically well-developed. We have to be prepared for that fight, accept it, and play to our own strengths,” he stated.
The RASTA Academy U19 roster includes Philip Grothe, Djairo Bernardina, Jonas Langermann, Epke Kruthaup, Michel Schillmöller, Leon Herges, Peja Strobl, Moritz Grüß, Tristan Gutersohn, Louis Behrendt, Louis Sutor, Malik Herges, Alan Chojnacki, Alen Blakaj, Emilian Spreckelmeyer, Teo Manoilov, and Eti Ehioghae. Christoph Gruhn serves as assistant coach.
Elsewhere in the NBBL North playoffs, ALBA Berlin will face Eisbären Bremerhaven, Paderborn Baskets will take on UBC Münster, and Baskets Juniors Oldenburg will battle Team Bonn/Rhöndorf. In the South, Eintracht Frankfurt/SKYLINERS will play KICKZ IBAM, FC Bayern München will face CYBEX Talents BBC Bayreuth, ratiopharm ulm will host TEAM URSPRING, and Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg will compete against Science City Jena.
The RASTA Vechta U19 team’s playoff journey begins this Sunday, offering a compelling opportunity for fans to support the next generation of German basketball talent. The team’s blend of experienced champions and developing players, combined with Horst’s strategic guidance, positions them as a strong contender in the NBBL playoffs.
Next Up: Game 2 of the best-of-three series against the Berlin Dreams on March 22nd in Berlin. Fans can follow updates and results on the official RASTA Vechta website and social media channels.
