2023: For Andreas Bichler it was the year in which he returned to the big stage of pool billiards. In other words, where he was around three decades ago. And as it was back then, it still applies now: the man from Brunnen enjoys his sport endlessly.
He’s still not old. But noticeably more mature. The former huge talent who quickly won the European runner-up title and the German championship title in his flagship discipline “8-Ball” in 1993: now a proud family man, stable, grounded, and extremely ambitious from a professional perspective. And yet: Bichler still can’t do it without pool billiards. Skillfully pocketing balls with his cue: it will probably remain a kind of elixir of life for him forever.
Since 2023 he has been practicing his hobby again in the 2nd Bundesliga South. However, no longer for BSC Ingolstadt, as it once was, but for BSV Playhouse Fürstenfeldbruck. And with that, the man from the Altlandkreis Schrobenhausen is currently almost sensationally leading the table. Yes, that makes you want more. Or, to put it a little differently: 2024 could also be a really great year for Bichler.
Andreas, what specifically do you remember from last year (mainly in terms of sport)?
Bichler: First of all, of course, the fact of being able to play in the 2nd Bundesliga again. Especially the first matchday at this level after a long absence was a really special moment for me.
But I also like to look back on my individual record in the 2022/23 season – with 100 percent of games won in a very strong league. If someone had predicted this to me twelve months ago, I would have called them completely crazy.
Is there a game that stands out in your memory the most?
Bichler: There is actually one: I achieved probably my most important win of 2023 against Aygün Karabiyik, the senior European champion in 8-ball from 2019, when we were already with our backs against the wall in the second half after a false start on the first and second matchdays. Bundesliga South – and were already 2-0 behind against BV Schwetzingen, the real top favorites for promotion. If I had lost against Karabiyik, we probably wouldn’t have been able to win the overall game and would have ended up completely in the bottom of the table. Instead, after my win, we turned the game around and won 5-3. So my personal surprise success on October 28th was somehow also the point at which the positive run began for us, which has now reached its peak with the lead in the table. Even if this is probably nothing more than a nice snapshot.
Who are your Athlete of the Year 2023, your Athlete of the Year 2023 and your Team of the Year 2023 – and why?
Bichler: As an individual, I don’t want to single anyone out. For me, the real athletes of the year are still the coaches, officials and everyone who volunteers in the clubs – year after year, even though the general conditions are getting worse and worse. They are the ones who keep the clubs running. Without these people, athletes would not be able to pursue their hobby or be successful. I also have great respect for the athletes in the so-called fringe sports. They perform at their best, even though they often have to finance everything themselves in order to be able to compete in their various championships. When it comes to the teams of 2023, I would like to mention, among others, the German national basketball team, which completely surprisingly became world champions. FC St. Pauli, VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen also did a great job when it came to football. And as a fan of the ERC Ingolstadt, I of course don’t want to forget the Panthers von der Donau, who, despite a lower budget compared to the competition, still became German runner-up in the DEL.
If you had the opportunity: What would you do differently now than you did in 2023?
Bichler: After the successful 2022/23 season with the team and my very strong individual record, I put far too much pressure on myself for the new season. I always tell my children that in sport the focus should always be on fun and enjoyment – and not on success. Personally, I still approached the 2023/24 season completely wrong – which promptly had a negative impact on my management.
What goals have you set for yourself for 2024? Do you have any good resolutions for 2024 (doesn’t just have to be from a sporting perspective)?
Bichler: There’s definitely a very important goal: to combine family, work and billiards as best as possible – which of course isn’t always easy. The trick here is to set priorities at the right time. If I can sort this out in the new year, then I will definitely have achieved a lot. When it comes to sports in particular, I want to get fitter again and build up more fitness so that I can have more stamina during the strenuous matchday weekends. In terms of play and tactics, I was able to learn a few things from my opponents in 2023, which I now need to integrate into my game.
How do you think sport in general has developed over the past year? For example, does it annoy you that “sport” is initially equated with “football” in TV reporting – and everything else doesn’t get the attention it actually deserves?
Bichler: Thank God, 2023 was a good year – especially for the smaller clubs and the clubs where sport cannot be played in the fresh air – in order to be able to stabilize to some extent again after the corona pandemic. I was actually worried that one or two clubs would disappear from the scene. When it comes to television reporting, there is one thing that goes completely against the grain for me personally: Why do you have to show summaries of Bundesliga soccer games on the Tagesschau? As if there were no other problems in the world… The Schrobenhausener Zeitung’s sports reporting tends to be heading in the right direction. In my opinion, sports alongside football are getting more and more space here – and that’s a good thing!
Roland Kaufmann asked the questions
2024-01-03 11:19:59
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