The Skyliners Frankfurt enter the new BBL season with a target of finishing inside the top ten, managing director Gunnar Wöbke indicated. The club opens its competitive schedule with a home cup match against Science City Jena at the Ballsporthalle.
Frankfurt Targets Top Ten Finish in BBL
Basketball-Bundesligist Skyliners Frankfurt are setting their sights on a top-ten finish in the upcoming BBL season, aiming for the play-in tournament tier. Managing director Gunnar Wöbke outlined the club’s targets, pointing to a structured plan designed to elevate the team after finishing 15th in the previous campaign during their second year after promotion.
The club’s long-term vision centers on a move to a planned new multifunctional arena at the Waldstadion by 2030. Wöbke explained that the organization intends to compete for titles in the Bundesliga and Euro-Cup by the time that venue opens, working backward through a competitive roadmap that begins with this season’s objective of reaching the post-season play-ins for teams ranked seventh through tenth.
Budget Increase Supports European Return
To back the sporting ambitions, Wöbke confirmed that financial resources have been adjusted accordingly, with the club’s budget increasing by half a million euros. This financial expansion is driven primarily by the team’s return to international competition, which brings additional travel and operational expenses covered in part by league subsidies.
Wöbke also noted that organizational growth remains a priority as the club prepares for future arena operations. While current staffing stands at 15 employees, the managing director projects a need for 30 or 40 administrative personnel by the time the Waldstadion facility opens, pointing to local examples such as the Eishockey-Löwen and their partnership with Eintracht Frankfurt as a model for commercial and digital collaboration.
Roster Additions Bring Vital Experience
On the court, Klaus Perwas enters the campaign following a four, five weeks of preparation period that included six test matches, five of which ended in victory. Perwas highlighted the arrival of experienced backcourt leadership as a crucial fix for shortcomings from last season, welcoming Thomas Klepeisz and Ryan Arcidiacono alongside young talent Judah Mintz and center Race Thompson.
Captain Till Pape echoed confidence in the squad’s upgraded veteran presence, though the team will start the season missing a few personnel. Roman Bedime, Jamie Edoka, and Jacob Knauf are currently sidelined due to shoulder issues and lingering injuries.
Tough Early Schedule Tests New Identity
Assistant coach Sepehr Tarrah emphasized that the coaching staff’s primary focus has been establishing a clear tactical identity rooted in aggressive rebounding and defensive intensity. The team aims to dictate tempo rather than react to opponents as they prepare for the opening cup fixture against Jena.
The competitive slate intensifies later in the month, with an away fixture against Alba Berlin scheduled for September 24, followed quickly by a home game against Rasta Vechta and an opening Euro-Cup trip to face Umana Reyer Venedig.
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