The OPEL SKYLINERS can´t think too much about their stunning upset victory on Saturday against ALBA Berlin because the next big test against GHP Bamberg lies ahead. Playing in Bamberg is never easy, because the stadium is so loud there and they have very faithful fans. Frankfurt knows from experience that the next opponent needs to be focused on as quickly as possible. "We will prepare the same way as for the Berlin game. We need to forget our great performance against Berlin and focus on Bamberg", said forward Jukka Matinen.
The OPEL SKYLINERS are on a three game winning-streak and have a lot of self-confidence at the moment. A win in Bamberg could make them undoubtly an early favorite for winning the championship again. Frankfurt knows that this game won`t be a cakewalk. "We don`t have much time to prepare, we need to be refocused quickly. They are real good. We need the same effort and intensity that we showed against Berlin", said a cautious assistant coach Simon Cote. Coach Didin and his troops will travel to Bamberg on Tuesday, so there will be enough time to mentally get ready for GHP Bamberg and the arena known as "Frankenhell".
With Dirk Bauermann, who is also responsible for the success of the German National team, Bamberg has one of the best coaches in the league. He just got a contract extension until 2008. Bauermann relies on physical defense and that has worked well this season. At the moment GHP Bamberg is at #3 and Frankfurt is at #4. Bamberg will definitely have something to prove in this game. "Bamberg will be very tough. They really want to beat us since we beat them in the finals last year", said guard Ibrahim Diarra. Bamberg will also be hungry to win this game, because they lost the first meeting in the Ballsporthalle 72 to 67.
GHP Bamberg has many weapons in their player arsenal. Chris Ensminger is one of the top rebounders in the BBL and Frankfurt will be tested again under the basket. Captain Pascal Roller will have his hands full with playmaking national player Steffen Hamann. GHP Bamberg was also busy finding new players like Hurl Beechum and Desmond Mallet. "We need to really watch Hurl Beechum and control him. We have to make sure he does not get hot, but he will take his shots anyway. We also need to watch Demond Mallet because he can also control a game. We need to keep the ball away from him", said a cautious Pascal Roller.
Frankfurt has turned into a very complete team. If a Pascal Roller or a Chris Williams don´t have big games, then there are other players that have proven that they can step up. Players like Panteliadis, Sljivancanin and Kruel have demonstrated recently that they can handle the pressure and score points. Alex King has started many games and is developing into a fine BBL player. His development and steady progress could really benefit the OPEL SKYLINERS for the future. "Everything is coming along for me, from practice to practice and from game to game. I`m really happy", said a content Alex King. If Franfurt can play like a team like they did against ALBA Berlin, then the chances of winning are high.
It has been almost three years since the OPEL SKYLINERS lost in the Frankenhell in Bamberg. In 2002, they lost a heartbreaker 79 to 78. The game starts at 20:00 and will be live on Premiere. The game will be a real test, most likely more difficult than the game against ALBA Berlin. "We have to play very physical! They are more talented offensively than last year and they are vey well organized. They don`t like the up and down game, but we do. This could be the key to victory", said captain Pascal Roller. The OPEL SKYLINERS have vastly improved in the last weeks and are not about to let a hostile Frankenhell or Bamberg squad get on their nerves. With a victory, the OPEL SKYLINERS can prove that they will be a force to be reckon with when the playoffs start on may 14th.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber reporting for the OPEL SKYLINERS
