The Red Ravens from Vilsbiburg have started the “Project 2. Bundesliga Pro”. Coach Alberto Chaparro welcomed seven players to the ball sports hall on Monday evening, who then completed the first training session with great enthusiasm.
In the spring, the club from the Landshut district surprisingly withdrew from the top German league after more than 33 years in the 1st Bundesliga and is now starting in a lower league. Those responsible cited the economic conditions as the reason.
At the start of training, the players were sweating hard, as coach Chaparro stepped on the gas after a few easy ball-getting-accustomed exercises. “In the first few weeks, the focus of training is on fitness, strength and endurance,” said the Spaniard. This is also where athletic trainer Toni Brandmeier is challenged. He has already been in contact with the players in recent weeks and given them homework to ensure that they already have a certain level of fitness. But this has been done in moderation, assures coach Chaparro. After all, the players also need to be given enough time to regenerate.
A total of eleven players are part of the Red Ravens squad, but Cayetana Lopez Rey and Irene Ramos are currently still playing for Spain’s U20 national team, and the same goes for Jana Gärtner, who is playing for Austria.
While the Ravens players now complete up to two training sessions a day, they have the next two weekends off. “The new players need to acclimatize a bit first, meet with their families so they can clear their heads.” After that, there are preparation games on the schedule so that the team can get into the swing of things as well as possible.
Finally, the Red Ravens will start the season opener in the 2nd Bundesliga Pro against SSC Freisen in the Vilsbiburg Ballsporthalle on Saturday, September 21st at 7 p.m.
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