Outside of Germany, the Niners from Chemnitz are still a blank slate. That’s going to change. The basketball players from Saxony are playing internationally for the first time and don’t want to hide.
“It will be a challenge but also an opportunity to play at a level we’ve never been at,” said Niners head coach Rodrigo Pastore. For the first time in the history of the club, the Chemnitz basketball players danced at three weddings. In addition to the Bundesliga and the cup, they are celebrating their premiere on the international stage.
With strong performances in the previous season, the team qualified for the three-stage qualification for the Basketball Champions League, which takes place from September 21 to 25 in Skopje (Macedonia).
Mixture of experience and talents
In order to be as prepared as possible, the Niners are already training again. There are already seven newcomers. The eighth and last new one is to follow soon. Then the team is complete. The Saxons rely on a mix of experienced players and young talents, all of whom have gained experience in the top European leagues.
“There will be a lot of energy on the field. We can defend very well and run a lot,” emphasizes Jonas Richter, who was born in Chemnitz, in an interview with “Sport in the East”. After the first training sessions together, he has a very good impression of the newcomers: “They look very fit. I think it will be a good season for us.”
There will be a lot of energy on the field. We can defend very well and run a lot.
Jonas Richter, Niners Chemnitz |
No specific goal given
After the strong season last year, the expectations in the environment have grown. Richter feels that too. The 25-year-old explains: “We try to hide that and want to get better every day.” There is no specifically formulated goal for the season with regard to placement. Richter: “The goal is to be the best version of ourselves. The rest will come naturally.”
In addition, they want to try again “to annoy everyone, not just the big ones”. Last season, Chemnitz became a Bayern fright. They won both in the regular season and in the cup against the big FCB. In the playoffs, however, Munich prevailed against Jonas Richter and Co.
New captain not yet determined
The big question is how the team will cope with the upcoming triple burden: “It will be interesting. It will be important that we all stay healthy,” said veteran Richter. The captain’s question is still open. After the end of his career Malte Ziegenhagen this position is currently vacant. “We’ll clarify that internally when all the players are there,” laughs Richter, skilfully avoiding the question of whether he could imagine that role.
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