GER - Nuremberg, Braunschweig prepare for wild-card season

MUNICH (Bundesliga) - Sellbytel Baskets Nuremberg and BS|Energy Braunschweig are already busy preparing for next season after receiving the two wild cards to join the expanded German Bundesliga.

The BBL will go from 16 to 18 teams for next season, and Nuremberg and Braunschweig will re-join the league after being relegated last season.

The other two teams will be Schroeno Padeborn Baskets, who were promoted after an undefeated season in Germany's second division North, and ratiopharm Ulm, who were 29-1 in the second division South.

Both Nuremberg and Braunschweig had to pay a 100,000 euro application fee for the wild cards but the league is thrilled to have expanded.

"Two more clubs in the BBL doesn't only mean four more games but also more fans and a larger media presence. Braunschweig and Nuremberg are very good additions for the BBL and we're happy to have them," BBL managing director Jan Pommer said.

Nuremberg's managing director Ralph Koczwara told PA Sport applying for the wild card was a must for the team.

"The difference between the first and second divisions is tremendous - both from a sporting aspect and financially," he said.

"Going down would have been a giant step backwards. So the wild card came at a great time, even though we would have rather accomplished it on the court."

Koczwara, whose team plays in the 9,000-seat Nuernberger Versicherung Arena, said the club tripled its budget from the previous season in the second division and will have a 30% increase for next season - though the 1.5million euros is expected to keep the Bavarian team in the lower level of German clubs.

"Having the arena is great, but it's expensive and gives us more running costs which other clubs don't have," Koczwara said.

"Each year we want to get better and have gotten better. And we try to make only two or three changes and build on the experiences we had the previous season.

"We eventually finished first in the second division and we want to do that in the first division too."

The heart and soul of the team is coach and Nuremberg native Stephen Harlander, who has helped lead the club from the lowest ranks in Germany to the first division as a player and coach.

"Some 15 years ago, he said as a Bezirksliga (fourth division) player that we need to get to the first division," Koczwara said of the 37-year-old Harlander.

"He's the heart and soul of this club. He's stayed here in his hometown even though he had offers twice as much from other clubs."

Braunschweig fans, meanwhile, can expect a few moves as the team's roster included six Americans last season.

Braunschweig coach Emir Mutapcic, who was hired in January, said the team will look for players who can strengthen the team but also identify with the city, the fans and the club.

"The wild card was the right signal from the league and shows that people respect our work and the long basketball tradition in Braunschweig," Mutapcic said.

Braunschweig was one of the founding members of the German league in 1998.

One opposing coach, Germany's national team coach and GHP coach Dirk Bauermann, applauded the move.

"These are two really good and solid organisations. Braunschweig has been in the league forever, has a really nice arena and tremendous tradition," he said.

"And Nuremberg is an up-and-coming team with a great arena. These are two teams that really belong. And these were good decisions."

By David Hein, PA Sport