In a dramatic turn of events in the 2. Regionalliga Südwest, the basketball season concluded with TG Hanau facing relegation. On March 24, 2025, the team suffered a harsh defeat at the hands of ROTH Energie BBA Giessen, losing 108:71. This match was critical for both teams as it determined who would secure their position in the league, with one team inevitably facing relegation.
Head coach Sven Witt expressed his disappointment post-game, stating, "We were unable to compensate for the absence of Leo Sattler and Jeremie Okitasumbu, which disrupted our rotation entirely." In the first quarter alone, Giessen established a solid lead, outscoring Hanau 24:17 and showcasing their offensive efficiency early on.
Building on their momentum, Giessen surged ahead to a 54:37 lead by halftime, putting Hanau's chances of staying in the league at serious risk. Witt noted, "Giessen averages 68 points per game, and we let in far too many points. We could not implement our game plan at any point in the first half. The agreements fell apart," pointing to a lack of coordination and execution from his players.
As the game resumed, Hanau attempted to mount a comeback, taking more risks, but ultimately failed to regain control of the match. "We tried to catch up by switching to a pressing defense, but that did not work either. In the end, it doesn’t matter whether we lost by 5, 15, or 40 points. The outcome for us remains the same: we could not secure our chance for survival," Witt concluded solemnly.
Meanwhile, it was a contrasting outcome for SG TV Dürkheim/BI Speyer, who secured their place in the league with a significant victory over TV Bad Bergzabern earlier in the season. Details about the match were scarce due to access restrictions, but it was confirmed that under coach Carlos Hidalgo Guijo, the team performed brilliantly to maintain their standings.
In another match from the same league, SGV Freiberg gloriously celebrated a victory against SG Barockstadt Fulda with a score of 2:1, where Leon Petö scored against his former team, further highlighting the emotions involved in these regional encounters. Petö, who was prominent during the match, attributed the success to the collective effort of his teammates, insisting that he bore no hard feelings towards his previous club, "I always got along well with the team, board, and environment. We played like real men today."
The rise of Freiberg, with their recent showing, leaves them in an enviable position after 14 consecutive games without defeat. Their confidence is palpable as they prepare for their upcoming match against TSG Hoffenheim II on March 28. Niklas Tarnat, the son of ex-national player Michael "Tanne" Tarnat, showed off his skills with several dazzling plays, further underscoring the team's strength.
With the season's close, the future for TG Hanau looks uncertain as they grapple with the impact of relegation. Coach Witt and his team must re-evaluate and regroup for the upcoming seasons, taking the lessons learned into consideration for a stronger comeback. Meanwhile, Dürkheim and Freiberg must continue to build on their successes, using their current form as a springboard for future endeavors.
