Giessen in trouble

[by Thomas Käckenmeister] - The Giessen 46ers are the only club in the German league (BBL) that lasted in the first division right from the start (1966). But after 41 years with ups and downs the rollercoaster ride came to a wild stop when the team held a press conference last Wednesday. Manager Dirk Schäfer told the press: "The financial situation is more fraught than ever." There are 100.000 Euro missing in the budget.

The future of the traditional basketball club is in abeyance, because the 46ers are not only missing financial resources, they are also in the 16th spot in the table (the teams on 17th and 18th spot will go down to the second division at the end of the season).

Last Friday Giessen hosted Ludwigsburg. Fans showed their solidarity with the club, when they sold selfmade cake during the game. A sum of about 1.000 Euro was earned this way. Besides a T-Shirt-campaign to support the team, the main sponsor Licher (beer company) sold beaker with the signatures of the 46ers players.

It has been a familiar atmosphere in Giessen. Even the players showed some compassion. Swingman Rouven Roessler, the best German scorer in the league (15,6 ppg), dyed his hair red and put a "46" on his neck. He finished the game with 18 points.

The game was intense. In the third quarter Giessen had a run that gave them their first lead of the game. The fans were excited. It would have been the icing on the cake, if the 46ers won this game. Unfortunately, Ludwigsburg earned a 88:79-victory in the end. Brandon Woudstra was their best player with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

The rollercoaster ride continues for Giessen. This example articulates the connection between sports and business very clearly.