Basketball: Before Bundesliga start: Skyliners challenged in the cup

The Skyliners Frankfurt basketball team’s first competitive game of the new season will take place on Friday the 13th. The Bundesliga newcomers will then play in the first round of the BBL Cup against second division team Gladiators Trier (8 p.m./Dyn). This day should not be a bad omen for the Hessians, especially since they only have good memories of Trier.

In the play-offs last season, both teams met in the semifinals. Frankfurt narrowly won the series against the Gladiators and was promoted. “We know everything that awaited us there, based on the history of last season and the close series,” said Skyliners coach Denis Wucherer.

In addition, Trier largely kept the team together, only a few adjustments were made to the squad and they played well together. “That is a huge advantage.” It is also always difficult to play in Trier. “So we have a very difficult task ahead of us there,” said the 51-year-old.

According to Wucherer, things haven’t been going well for the Hessians in the last two weeks. He therefore hopes that the team will manage to “crawl out of the small valley and be ready for Trier.” The former professional will still have to do without captain Lorenz Brenneke and Kamaka Hepa. Both are in rehabilitation training.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:240911-930-229451/1