Relegation Battle: What Next After Title Deciders?

Cloppenburg. An outsider trio from BV Gifhorn took part in the German Badminton Championships. Sonja Melzer, Patrick Thöne and Robin Lazarus sold well in Cloppenburg. The BVG then continues in the regional league at the weekend – there the saving bank has moved a little further into the distance without any action on their part.

Thöne starts things off

The start from Gifhorn’s point of view was Patrick Thöne, who came into the individual field via the replacement list. “I was sick or injured for some time. That’s why I don’t have any big goals. Playing primarily, enjoying the experience and maybe winning the first round would be nice. Otherwise, it’s about getting fit again,” said the Gifhorner in advance. Against Felix Jianheng Luo (1. BV Maintal) it went straight to three sets. Thöne had the worse end at 14:21, 21:16, 10:21. His conclusion: “There is a lack of training, fitness and competitive toughness. In some ways it wasn’t bad at all, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”

Robin Lazarus ensured the only BVG victory in Cloppenburg, winning his opening match against Julian Kramer (SG Schorndorf) clearly with 21:6, 21:10. Against number 2 seeded Brian Holtschke (TV Refrath), who later also became runner-up, the Gifhorner did creditably with 12:21, 16:21.

Melzer with a good double

Melzer then entered the tournament in doubles. With Katja Kirn (SV Lengede), the BVGer did well against ex-Gifhorner Alicia Molitor, who now starts for SpVgg Sterkrade-Nord, and Annika Horbach (TV Refrath). In the end it was 15:21, 16:21 against the number 3/4 seeds.

Two away games in the league

BV Gifhorn will be in action in the regional league for the first time in the new year at the weekend. At the start of the second half of the season, BVG had no game and had to watch as cellar rival Horner TV scored three points and was now five points ahead of the penultimate team from the mill town. Relegation is at great risk. A win is therefore mandatory for BVG on Saturday (4 p.m.) against the pointless bottom team TSV Tempelhof-Mariendorf, but given the personnel situation, according to team captain Robin Niesner, it is rather unlikely. On Sunday (10 a.m.) we’ll go to Berlin to meet BC PreussenPark 09, the undefeated frontrunners.

Gifhorn travels to Berlin with a weakened replacement, especially with the women, the BVG has to improvise again and again this season. In addition to Melanie Cronenberg, Jennifer Thiele will help out on Saturday, and on Sunday Melzer, who follows, will replace Thiele. In the men’s race, Yang Xia, Robin Lazarus, Max Layera, Matteo Schinzel and team captain Niesner are in the race.

AZ/WAZ