Fans can watch the “Ghost Game” free of charge in the live stream (www.sportdeutschland.tv). Esterkamp is fully convinced of his crew. “Our training was good, really good. The team has developed considerably during this time. ”
The Uni Baskets should actually compete in Hagen on November 28th. Since the Phoenix troop had spent a total of four of the previous five weeks in corona quarantine at the time, the game had to be canceled. The so-called “Return-to-Sport” guideline stood in the way of a quick restart. First of all, sports medicine examinations had to follow and at least five training days had to be completed. “This cannot be implemented in the temporary process after the quarantine,” was the official reason for the cancellation of the game at the time.
The agreement on December 8th suited the people of Hagen as well. Actually they had aimed for their second home win against the Ehingen Urspring team last Saturday. This match had to be canceled at short notice because a positive Covid-19 test result in the immediate vicinity of the guest forced the Ehinger to suspend training for the time being.
If there are positive side effects of the compulsory break to be constructed from Paderborn’s point of view, it is probably this: Daniel Mixich – he was twisted in the home game against Science City Jena – has cured the tear of the delta tape that he had suffered during the action. The point guard is ready for use again. “We had a number of ailing people who were able to regenerate well,” says Mixich. Ivan Buntic (torn muscle fiber), Badu Buck (groin problems) and Drew Cushingberry (knee) also knew how to use the time. Nevertheless: The rhythm has flown at first. “We trained every day to develop further. But play is different from training. This break was a bit like a pre-season 2.0, ”says Daniel Mixich. It is “mentally difficult to stay in the season”. 2.11-meter center John Bryant should also have done the regular team training good. The two-time BBL-MVP should now be able to develop his qualities under the basket even more effectively than last. Esterkamp satisfied: “John has become fitter and the team has understood how to play with a big man like him.”
Paderborn’s last score, the 94:86 against Science City Jena, was more than a month ago. The third sense of achievement this season should be on Tuesday. Daniel Mixich knows that his team has hard work ahead of them. But he says fiercely: “We want to win in order to achieve our team goal, the play-offs. We all believe that we will be able to play in front of spectators at some point in 2021. That’s our motivation, that’s what we fight for. We had enough time to prepare and want to show our fans on Tuesday that we are there. ”
That Phoenix Hagen got through the quarantine weeks well and the corona break did not give the team a crack, could be seen at the restart. The Römerstrom Gladiators Trier were wiped off with 104: 77, and the firebirds brought a lot of power to the floor in the Krollmann Arena. Led by Zach Haney (19), five players scored double-digit points in their first home win this season. The throwing rates from the 2-point range of 68 percent and from the 3-point range of 52 percent were respectable. “We hit really well and defended well,” said even head coach Chris Harris. Not only because of the defeat in the test match in the preparation for the season (83: 108) – even if the meaningfulness for Tuesday evening is low – was no surprise for his colleague Esterkamp Hagens performance: “We meet an opponent with a lot of energy. They have good imports. In order to survive in Hagen, we have to defend strongly and keep the error rate low. ”
Paderborn’s exit to Franconia, originally scheduled for Wednesday, December 9th, has to be postponed. The guest appearance at the Nürnberg Falcons has been canceled and will only be rescheduled for 2021. It is true that part of the team in Nuremberg is once again offering light team training. But since there are still positive Covid-19 cases within the squad and the corresponding players are still in quarantine, it will take a while before you can train with full team strength again. Correspondingly, the return of the falcons to regular operations in the ProA is postponed.
The next home game of Uni Baskets Paderborn is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th (7.30 p.m.). Opponents in the Maspernhalle are then the Römerstrom Gladiators from Trier.
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