Now it counts: the bet-at-home BSL starts the new season

A lot has been trained, tested and talked about in the last few weeks been. Next weekend it will be over with this preliminary skirmish – the bet-at-home basketball super league is back! The season 21/22 will open live on Sky Sport Austria with the classic between the Kapfenberg Bulls and the BK IMMOunited Dukes (7 p.m.). The remaining four games will take place on Sunday (5.30 p.m.), two of them as real derbies, which makes the return of the fans even more explosive. For those who can’t make it into the hall, the Sunday games will be broadcast live on www.skysportaustria.at/streaming.

Upper Austria has champion and Supercup winner Swans Gmunden -Rivals of the Raiffeisen Flyers Wels as guests. The duel between the Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions and the UNGER STEEL Gunners Oberwart has often left emotions simmering in the past.
Kapfenberg Bulls vs. BK IMMOunited Dukes
Saturday, 7 p.m. – Sports Hall Walfersam, Kapfenberg
live on SKY Sport Austria HD

For the first time in five years, the Kapfenberg Bulls do not start as defending champions in a first division season. All the more motivated the successful Upper Styrians will tackle the new season. Because one thing is clear: Another untitled season is not on the agenda of head coach Mike Coffin and the club’s management. The way back to the BSL throne begins for returnees Kareem Jamar and his colleagues against Klosterneuburg, where the returnees and debutant sit in personal union on the command bridge. Chris O’Shea, Assistant Coach in Gmunden for a long time and most recently with the BBL for many years, celebrates his premiere as Head Coach.

Mike Coffin, Head Coach Kapfenberg : “The first game of the season is always a surprise. We are especially happy about the fans who are back in the hall. Let the games begin! ”

Nemanja Krstic, Kapfenberg player:“ Klosterneuburg is a strong team. I think we prepared very well over the summer and are in good shape. Of course we expect a win and are ready! ”

Chris O’Shea, Head Coach Klosterneuburg:“ We expect a very strong opponent in Kapfenberg, but we have nevertheless had a very good preparation. We want to improve every week and improve our game. “

Edvin Bavcic, player Klosterneuburg:” We are happy that it starts and that we are playing in front of fans again to be allowed to. We worked very hard with the new coach and the new players and are trying to get used to it as quickly as possible. It will still take a little time, but we are on the right track. “
Swans Gmunden vs. Raiffeisen Flyers Wels
Sunday, 5.30 p.m. – Volksbank Arena, Gmunden
live on skysportaustria.at/streaming

With the victory in the Supercup the Swans Gmunden successfully completed the dress rehearsal. The “Mission: Defending the Title” will start on Sunday. The fact that the return of the BSL fans to the hall with the highest average attendance in the past is celebrated with an Upper Austria derby is almost kitschy. But neither Gmunden nor Wels, which for their part completely botched the dress rehearsal, left time for sentimentality. The clear Alpe-Adria-Cup defeat in Levice should have been a wake-up call at the right time. Because in a derby such an appearance would be doubly painful.

Aleksi Koskinen, Head Coach Gmunden: “After a long wait, we finally have a derby with our fans behind us. It will be an uphill battle between two aggressive and fast playing teams. We have to be ready to perform for over 40 minutes in order to start the season with a win. “

Richard Poiger, Gmunden Sports Director:” Of course we are happy to the derby, which can finally take place in front of fans again. A physical game awaits us in which we have to counter it from the start. We have already shown in the Supercup that we are capable of this and that we can even determine the game. “

Sebastian Waser, Head Coach Wels:” In the Starting the opening game against the champions is something special. After winning the Swans Supercup, the task will be even more difficult for us. The roles are clearly assigned. We are David and Gmunden the Goliath. “

Christian von Fintel, player Wels:” The championship starts with a derby. The hall will be full. It’s finally starting. What more could you want! ”

Personnel: A cold virus is rampant in the Welser team. Sam Orf is therefore questionable, Gavrilo Tepic certainly not there.
BC GGMT Vienna vs. Vienna DC Timberwolves
Sunday, 5.30 p.m. – Hallmann Dome, Vienna
live on skysportaustria.at/streaming

Now it counts: The newly formed starting group of BC GGMT Vienna celebrates its debut at home. After international appearances in the qualification for the FIBA ​​Europe Cup and most recently in the Aple Adria Cup, where they dominated against the Czech team from Decin, Aramis Naglic’s troupe will appear in the Hallmann Dome for the first time – in the capital duel against Vienna DC Timberwolves. The role of favorites is clearly assigned, but especially in a first game of the season nothing is predictable at all. The young Donaustadters have nothing to lose against stars like Bogic Vujosevic, Enis Murati and Jozo Rados – and that is exactly what could become a great weapon.

Petar Stazic, Manager BC Vienna: “We have had a very intense pre-season and are very motivated for the upcoming BSL season. We know that every team will give 200% against us this year. The players and also the coaching team have to be prepared for that in every game. ”

Paul Radakovics, player BC Vienna:“ It’s finally starting, the whole team is highly motivated for the start of the season, which has a derby ready! We want to show immediately who is number one in Vienna! “

Hubert Schmidt, Head Coach Timberwolves:” We have a good preparation behind us and can do the first Play the game as a clear underdog without pressure. On Sunday we have to deal with the opponent’s physique well, both offensively and defensively. “

Philipp D’Angelo, Timberwolves:” We are looking forward to the new season , especially to play in front of spectators again and that in the first round in a derby. BC has signed very strong players, but we will try to surprise. ”

Personnel: Dominik Alturban is out of the Timberwolves after his cheekbone fracture, Marko Goranovic (Federal Army ) has not yet been able to start training.
UBSC Raiffeisen Graz vs. SKN St. Pölten Basketball
Sunday, 5.30 p.m. – Stadthalle Fürstenfeld
live on skysportaustria.at/streaming

At the season opener between UBSC Raiffeisen Graz and SKN St. Many things are new to Pölten basketball: all Graz legionnaires, the bigger roles of the St. Pölten Youngsters – and the “home” of the Styrians. After the club in the Raiffeisen Sportpark in Graz did not find accommodation at the given times on the opening weekend, they are now moving to Fürstenfeld. So there will probably be no home advantage, after a year without a spectator there might not be a major disadvantage. A sporting prognosis is difficult in this duel. Both played good pre-seasons and both have strong players in their ranks. The truth is on the pitch.

Ervin Dragsic, Head Coach Graz: “We have prepared ourselves well for the season and hope to use the momentum for a first victory to be able to. “

Michael Fuchs, Head Coach Graz:” We had the best preparation phase in recent years – so we are optimistic about the encounter. St. Pölten is always a strong and unpredictable opponent. “

Andreas Worenz, Head Coach St. Pölten:” We have an intensive preparation behind us and are looking forward to that it finally starts. The preparation for the game against Graz was not easy due to the many newcomers and the lack of videos. Our goal is to start the new season with a win anyway. “

Roman Jagsch, player St. Pölten:” Graz has a lot of new players with individual Strength. But we are well prepared and want to go home with a win from Fürstenfeld. “

Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions vs. UNGER STEEL Gunners Oberwart
Sunday, 5.30 p.m. – Lions Dome, Traiskirchen
live on skysportaustria.at/streaming

After the Supercup defeat, the alarm bells rang for the first time in Oberwart before the start of the season. The performance in Gmunden was out of the question for Head Coach Horst Leitner, the analysis and processing was probably relentless. An increase is needed in Traiskirchen – otherwise there is a risk of bankruptcy at the start of the BSL. Especially since the Lions won a test duel a few weeks ago. In any case, the Lower Austrians are motivated to do a lot better than last year. That will also be necessary: ​​Because the relegation from behind, in which they secured relegation at the last minute in May, is history this year.

Dominik Günther, Assistant Coach Traiskirchen: “Before the first game, there are always many question marks for everyone, especially the coaches. We want to do our best in every game and then we’ll see where we end up. We are looking forward to the new season and to finally being able to play in front of an audience again. ”

Oscar Schmit, Captain Traiskirchen:“ We have a great group of boys and work hard in training from day one. Finally, after a long preparation, the new season is starting again. Everyone in the team and the club are looking forward to it! “

Horst Leitner, Head Coach Oberwart:” We owed a lot in the Supercup in terms of our virtues and our demeanor. Traiskirchen will be a different caliber than last year. We’ll need all of our dedication to be successful! “

Rob Howard, Oberwart:” We took the time to clear our mistakes from the game against To analyze Gmunden. We want to correct these mistakes on Sunday and land a victory in Traiskirchen. ”

Personnel: Maximilian Schuecker is absent from Traiskirchen due to injury, Oberwarts Emondre Rickman is questionable after an eye operation .

08.10.2021