Older stars leave HBW 2: Who is responsible in the 3rd league?

Older stars leave HBW 2: Who is responsible in the 3rd league?

A lot is happening at HBW Balingen-Weilstetten II, because under the leadership of new coach Micha Thiemann, the team is preparing for an exciting season in the 3rd league. After the departure of André Doster, who was in charge for six years, Thiemann, who is still active as a player himself, takes over. He sees his first coaching position in the active sector as a big challenge, especially since he comes with his experience from the youth sector and talent development. Thiemann brings a lot of enthusiasm - he wants to focus on training young talents and getting them fit for the 3rd division and the Bundesliga. With Tobias Hotz as assistant coach, who supports the individual development of the players, the team already has strong support.

The preparation phase began on June 23rd with almost the entire squad and is being used intensively to optimally prepare for the challenges ahead. Apart from Daan van Vliet, who is involved with the Dutch national team, all the players have been training hard. The first two weeks already brought numerous training sessions: seven in the first and eleven in the training camp in Lenningen/Teck. The squad consists of 14 players, which means that every position is filled twice, but without having to include A-youth players.

With promising new additions such as Fabian Dirmeier, David Selinka and Neo Wehrli, who are integrating well into the team, the “Young Gauls” have received a breath of fresh air. Dirmeier brings a lot of power to the backcourt, while Selinka has just completed his high school diploma and Wehrli impresses with his experience in competitive sports.

Test games and challenges

Preparation for the season is going smoothly and the first test matches are already showing the direction. In the first test match they achieved a narrow 28:27 win against Neuhausen/Erms. Further matches against Schömberg, Pfullingen and Neuhausen/Filder are already planned. However, there are also some stumbling blocks in the planning: The third division opener against Oftersheim/Schwetzingen may be postponed because the hall is not available. These circumstances put a strain on the team and the coach, who has respect for the stronger competition.

Micha Thiemann emphasized during preparation that the focus was on defense, as several central defenders had left the club. The team will continue to play in the 6-0 formation, but will also have to be more flexible in order to remain competitive in the league. Thiemann is confident that they have the offense well under control, but sees weaknesses in the tempo game and defense that need to be worked on.

A look at the competition

Staying in the league will be a real challenge, especially in the 3rd league. The opponents should not be underestimated - especially the experienced team from Pforzheim/Eutingen, against whom they will play away. Thiemann warns of a tough game where the opponent's position in the table is not decisive. Pforzheim has talents like Thorsten Anselm and playmaker Julian Broschwitz, who can cause problems for the “Young Gauls” defense.

The demands are high and the coaching team has a lot of confidence in the squad's abilities. But while the new additions and the team are steadily growing together, it remains to be seen whether the “young Gauls” can live up to expectations. One thing is certain: with the right mix of talent and experience, they are ready to tackle the challenges. The first big goal of the season remains to continue the positive development and establish ourselves in the league.