With so much focus on the Top Four that is fast approaching on the weekend of May 7th/8th, some may have forgotten that the OPEL SKYLINERS have one game remaining in the BBL season. Frankfurt will travel to Leverkusen and play a team that has no chance of reaching the playoffs. Even though a loss by the OPEL SKYLINERS would not risk them losing the fourth playoff spot, Frankfurt knows too well that Leverkusen, who has nothing to lose, can be a dangerous opponent.
"Every game for us is important. We want to give a good performance in their gym. We have to be careful and not play as bad as we did some weeks ago in Braunschweig", said a cautious center Bernd Kruel.
The Frankfurt fans will be able to see their beloved team a bit more, since the OPEL SKYLINERS will have home court advantage in the first round. The question only remains, who will be their opponent? Since RheinEnergie Köln lost to EWE Baskets Oldenburg, Frankfurt could lose to Leverkusen, but would still keep the fourth place in the standings. However, if the OPEL SKYLINERS win on Sunday and Colgne loses to Gießen, then, Frankfurt would be assured the third place in the BBL standings. Then the question would only remain who the OPEL SKYLINERS would play in the first round, either Gießen or the Artland Dragons.
American Chris Williams continues to stick to the successful recipe for victory. "We will have the same mental focus against Leverkusen that we have used all season long in winning games. If we do the little things well and play good defense and rebound, then we should win."
In their first meeting this season, the OPEL SKYLINERS were able to crack the century mark with a 101 to 78 victory. A victory in Leverkusen could be made a lot easier, because it seems as Frankfurt has received a season ending gift from them. Their two national players Denis Wucherer and Sven Schultze have left the team to play in Italy. Wucherer played 29 games in the BBL this season, scored 465 points, was in the top 15 in scoring and will play for the OPEL SKYLINERS Euroleague opponent Benetton Treviso. Schultze will play for Armani Jeans Milan. Pascal Roller warns that they may have lost two top players, but could still surprise anyone. "They still have Nate Fox, but we are a better team now. We can´t win on paper, but we have to show we can win on the court."
Leverkusen has many talented players like American Nate Fox, who excelled at the University of Maine. They also have a quick guard named Carl Brown. They have two big centers, American Ajmal Basit, who is 2.06 meters, and German Lars Grübler at 2.11 meters. Malick Badiane will have his work cut out for him under the basket, but after last weekend´s incredible performance against Bonn, he should be prepared and have enough confidence to continue his strong play.
The OPEL SKYLINERS are approaching the Top Four and playoffs in top form. The return of American Tyrone Ellis is very certain and the team has no other injuries. With Ellis coming back, this will give the guard position an added weapon to the already powerful guard position. "We are lucky that we have a very deep roster. Anyone at the guard position can play. It is a plus that Panteliadis and Franklin have so much freedom to score, because a lot of teams concentrate on me", expressed captain Pascal Roller. This game will be a good test for the upcoming Top Four. A win in Leverkusen would strengthen the confidence that Frankfurt already has against it´s favorite opponent Bonn, who has lost the last two games against the OPEL SKYLINERS.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber reporting for the OPEL SKYLINERS
