After a phenomenal season and a 85:81 victory over BG Göttingen on the last day of the main round of matches, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg reached the playoffs of the Beko Basketball Bundesliga for the second time in two years and is therefore ranked as one the top eight teams in Germany!
Finishing in eighth place, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg will meet first-placed Brose Baskets from Bamberg in the quarter finals of the playoffs. Match 1 of the "best of five" series will take place on Saturday (9 May at 2.45 pm, broadcast live on SPORT1) in Bamberg. Match 2 is scheduled for Tuesday 12 May (8 pm) in the MHPArena Ludwigsburg. Match 3 of the series will be held in Bamberg again. A potential fourth match will be played out in the Ludwigsburg MHPArena and Bamberg would be the venue for a possible 5th match.
With the anticipation of an enthralling playoff series, the mood at the press conference on Thursday 7 May 2015 at the MHPArena was positive.
What they are saying about the quarter final:
Alexander Reil (first president of BG Ludwigsburg / MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg): „We are looking forward to the playoffs immensely, especially because we never expected to be ranked as one of the top eight teams in the country. The playoffs always enhance the image of a team. We are considered outsiders compared to the front-runners, but think we can use that to our advantage.“
John Patrick (head coach): „Bamberg is the best team in the league and favorite to win the series. We have not lost a single game at home and were very strong on home soil in the Eurocup. But the playoffs are like starting a new season. At this point, the results of the main round are irrelevant.“
Ingo Guttenson (Head of Marketing at MHP – A Porsche Company): „We are proud of our RIESEN Team and are looking forward to competing in the playoffs with the possibility of our amazing team playing additional matches in the MHPArena. We are pleased that our three-year partnership has developed in such a positive way. Many job applicants recognize us from the MHP RIESEN and the MHPArena name sponsorship. Our journey together with MHP RIESEN has been a total success story!“
Jon Brockman (Center): „The playoffs are always special. While most other teams are on vacation, we still have to contest a series of matches. The energy and enthusiasm in the playoffs is completely different to that of the main round of matches. It will be a real battle against Bamberg. I wish we could get out on the court today already.“
Michael Stockton (Point Guard): „Bamberg has two or three great players for every position. I think the whole team is ready and in good shape for the playoffs. The support from the fans in the MHPArena has been phenomenal over the last few years.“
Summary of quarter final dates:
Match 1: Saturday, 9 May 2015
Brose Baskets – MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 2.45 pm (SPORT1)
Match 2: Tuesday, 12 May 2015
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg – Brose Baskets 8.00 pm
Match 3: Thursday, 14 May 2015
Brose Baskets – MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 8.00 pm
Match 4*: Saturday, 16 May 2015
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg – Brose Baskets 8.00 pm
Match 5*: Wednesday, 20 May 2014
Brose Baskets – MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 8.00 pm
*if required
