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The unexpected often happens: Unexpectedly, Fuldas water polo players have competitive games again. And in the end there could even be promotion to the Bundesliga. First, however, the team of trainer Raul de la Pena applies on June 20 for a place in the promotion round.
Fulda – “We are now really accelerating, the boys are fully motivated,” says Raul de la Pena happily, who has scheduled two additional training units per week in preparation for the qualifying tournament of the 2nd League South. On June 20, the people of Fulda will then compete against the teams from SC Neustadt and SG Stadtwerke München. The winner can take part in the promotion tournament to the Bundesliga on July 10th and 11th (see background).
The game may even be played in Fulda in just over a week. “We have applied for the tournament to be held in the Ziehers sports pool,” said water polo warden Volker Schunke, confirming the water enthusiasts’ plans. Maybe it is even possible to let a few spectators into the stands. That will probably be decided by the weekend, said Schunke.
Fulda water polo players have a chance of promotion to the Bundesliga – qualifying tournament due to Corona
The game is to be played on June 20th in a simple “everyone against everyone” round. So each team plays two games. Both coach de la Pena and water polo warden Schunke have a hard time assessing the chances of the Fulda team to decide the qualification for themselves. “Munich and Neustadt are among the best teams in the 2nd League South, we’re more in the midfield,” the coach knows.
background
Because of the corona pandemic, only the 1st water polo Bundesliga played its season to the end this year. All other leagues, including the 2nd League South, in which the Wasserfreunde Fulda play, were canceled.
The DSV has therefore decided that there should be no relegated from the Bundesliga, but there should be two promoted. These will be played in a tournament of the four second division groups on July 10th and 11th. Each group can send a team, the first and second placed in the qualifying tournament can move up.
The 2nd League South will play their participants in this tournament on Sunday, June 20th. In addition to Fulda, SC Neustadt and SG Munich apply.
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On the other hand: none of the teams have played for a long time, the training conditions were moderate. After all, the people of Fulda have been allowed back into the water for a few months, albeit with little contact for a long time. “We swam, did strength training and did some ball work. We have been able to play again for two weeks, ”said de la Pena, describing the situation. But the most important thing is: “The boys really want to play.”
Water polo players have an unexpected chance at the Bundesliga – “We have a great squad right now”
Volker Schunke takes the same line: “We have just got a great group together, so we said we’d take the chance.” But of course no one could say how the whole thing would turn out. “Ultimately, I see it entirely from the sporting aspect. Above all, it is about the fact that we are playing competitive games again, that something is at stake, ”said the water polo attendant, emphasizing the importance of the tournament.
Over the summer, the league’s clubs are planning as many tournaments and friendly matches as possible in order to gain practice before the planned start of the season in November. But, according to Schunke, “then it’s about the golden pineapple, here possibly about the ascent.” (Read here: Rosenbad in Fulda opens earlier – visitors have to pay attention to this)
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