Heidelberg (dpa / lsw) – Even in its second year in the basketball Bundesliga, the MLP Academics Heidelberg is only concerned with staying up in the league. “In the first year after promotion, we benefited from the euphoria and from the fact that some opponents didn’t have us on the list,” said managing director Matthias Lautenschläger at a press conference on Monday. “This time we will be taken seriously. That’s why our goal remains the same: we want to stay in the league.” In the long term, the Heidelberg hope for playoff participation.
Niklas Würzner plays an important part in the club’s planning. The homegrown player extended his contract by two more years. Leon Friederici, on the other hand, will miss the start of training this Wednesday. He plays no part in the plans of new coach Joonas Iisalo.
With these two personnel decisions, the squad planning of the Heidelberg team, who will start the new season at home against the MHP giants Ludwigsburg on October 2nd, has been completed for the time being. “Our style of play will change, but we brought in the right guys. I’m ready for the new chapter,” said Iisalo, who succeeds Branislav Ignjatovic.