"Cursed" season

Decisive phase for the Dornbirn Lions

The Lions want to put up another fight against Mistelbach.(Bild: Dornbirn Lions)

The Dornbirn basketball team struggled with a lot of bad luck this season. Nevertheless, the young Lions surprisingly made it into the playoffs. A decisive game awaits them at home against Mistelbach on Saturday.

The fact that the Dornbirn Lions have made it into the playoffs of the second national basketball league this season is not a matter of course. The Lions can look back on a truly "cursed" season. "We've never had so many different injuries and illnesses," says manager Markus Mittelberger, "from muscle injuries and viral illnesses to a bone detachment, it was all there."

Nevertheless, the Messestadt team still made it into the playoffs on the last matchday of the basic round against BBU Salzburg. With a very young squad made up mainly of home-grown players - the strong legionnaires were often absent. Or were sent home, like top scorer Charis Kiousis. "He knew he was good, but he didn't work well. And he did things that we unfortunately had to react to by terminating his contract," Mittelberger regrets, "but our own players got a lot of playing minutes this season. And they have made the most of their opportunities."

But the chances are not good for game two in the quarter-final series at home against the Mistelbach Mustangs on Saturday. The first encounter on the road went to the Mustangs by a clear 105:73. "Our big guys are missing, they play an average of 2.10 meters. Unfortunately, that can't work out," says Mittelberger.

Growth on the board
However, the manager is satisfied with the season - apart from the squad problems. With the addition of Sabine-Walser-Lech and Bettina Fisch, the board now has a broader base. In addition, an U14 and an U19 team are to be added soon. "We need to work even harder on marketing and finding sponsors in the future," says Mittelberger, "there's still a lot for us to do in this league."