FIBA Basketball
GER - Bremerhaven book play-off spot
LEVERKUSEN (BBL) - Bundesliga newcomers Eisbaren Bremerhaven became the latest side to book their place in the end of season play-offs after beating Bayer Giants Leverkusen 75-72. Sunday's win means Sarunas Sakalauskas' side are certain
LEVERKUSEN (BBL) - Bundesliga newcomers Eisbaren Bremerhaven became the latest side to book their place in the end of season play-offs after beating Bayer Giants Leverkusen 75-72.
Sunday's win means Sarunas Sakalauskas' side are certain of a top-eight finish in their first season in the top flight, an extraordinary achievement for the north German club.
"We are delighted to have clinched our place already," said Sakalauskas after his side defeated Germany's record champions, who must now hope for a miracle to claim their own place in the play-offs.
They are two wins behind eighth-placed EnBW Ludwigsburg with just two games of the season to go, however both those games are against the bottom two sides in the division.
ALBA Berlin are almost certain to end the season on top of the pile after beating sellbytel Baskets Nurnberg 97-73, while GHP Bamberg's 13-game winning streak was ended by Sunday's 79-65 defeat to the Artland Dragons.
The Bavarians now face a fight to defend second place from RheinEnergie Cologne, whose 86-74 win over TBB Trier on Saturday propelled them to within one win of Bamberg.
Coach Sasa Obradovic has worked wonders with Cologne this season, both in the Bundesliga and FIBA EuroCup, and his side will be one of the favourites for the title having registered their 13th home win of the season in 14 games.
Only the Deutsche Bank Skyliners have come away from the Rhein-side city with a win, but the rest of their season has been a disappointment.
That was until this weekend, however.
After four consecutive defeats that had seen the Skyliners plunge into the bottom two, Charles Barton's side bounced back with a an 80-62 triumph over EnBW Ludwigsburg.
As many as 4,630 fans spurred the home side on to glory in the Frankfurter Ballsporthalle, with Germany international Pascal Roller in inspired form with 20 points.
Dropping into the relegation zone in their place were Nurnberg who, like bottom-placed BS|Energy Braunschweig, seem certain to be playing in the second Bundesliga next season.
Braunschweig did give themselves a ray of light at the weekend with an 87-71 win over Walter Tigers Tubingen, and although they must yet beat Berlin, Bamberg and Leverkusen to stand any chance of saving their Bundesliga status, they will continue to believe in an incredible escape act.
"I am proud of my team and we will keep fighting, even when the going gets tough," declared coach Emir Mutapcic.
PA Sport
Sunday's win means Sarunas Sakalauskas' side are certain of a top-eight finish in their first season in the top flight, an extraordinary achievement for the north German club.
"We are delighted to have clinched our place already," said Sakalauskas after his side defeated Germany's record champions, who must now hope for a miracle to claim their own place in the play-offs.
They are two wins behind eighth-placed EnBW Ludwigsburg with just two games of the season to go, however both those games are against the bottom two sides in the division.
ALBA Berlin are almost certain to end the season on top of the pile after beating sellbytel Baskets Nurnberg 97-73, while GHP Bamberg's 13-game winning streak was ended by Sunday's 79-65 defeat to the Artland Dragons.
The Bavarians now face a fight to defend second place from RheinEnergie Cologne, whose 86-74 win over TBB Trier on Saturday propelled them to within one win of Bamberg.
Coach Sasa Obradovic has worked wonders with Cologne this season, both in the Bundesliga and FIBA EuroCup, and his side will be one of the favourites for the title having registered their 13th home win of the season in 14 games.
Only the Deutsche Bank Skyliners have come away from the Rhein-side city with a win, but the rest of their season has been a disappointment.
That was until this weekend, however.
After four consecutive defeats that had seen the Skyliners plunge into the bottom two, Charles Barton's side bounced back with a an 80-62 triumph over EnBW Ludwigsburg.
As many as 4,630 fans spurred the home side on to glory in the Frankfurter Ballsporthalle, with Germany international Pascal Roller in inspired form with 20 points.
Dropping into the relegation zone in their place were Nurnberg who, like bottom-placed BS|Energy Braunschweig, seem certain to be playing in the second Bundesliga next season.
Braunschweig did give themselves a ray of light at the weekend with an 87-71 win over Walter Tigers Tubingen, and although they must yet beat Berlin, Bamberg and Leverkusen to stand any chance of saving their Bundesliga status, they will continue to believe in an incredible escape act.
"I am proud of my team and we will keep fighting, even when the going gets tough," declared coach Emir Mutapcic.
PA Sport