Cup Exit in Berlin: Too Late in the Game Against the Regionalliga Champion

We got off to a terrible start. Neukölln found their rhythm early on, we could barely get a grip on the game, and after six minutes we were trailing 2–15. After that, we regrouped and fought our way back bit by bit, closing the gap to 14–19 in the first quarter, and by the 16th minute, the score was even 26–26. However, we never led at any point that day. Neukölln, led by the outstanding Grigoleit-Zampieri—who finished with 29 of their 59 points—pulled away again before the break; the score at halftime was 33–42.

After the break, the game became much closer; we even narrowly won the second half. Lisa Hoppe provided momentum with two three-pointers in the third quarter, and in the final quarter, Annika Schwarz scored all five of her points. We closed the gap to four points, 50–54, in the 35th minute. Then Neukölln hit a three-pointer to make it 57–50, and we couldn’t find an answer after that.

To be honest: As a second-division team, we traveled to face the reigning champions of the 1st Regional League North and made things difficult for ourselves right from the start. We never quite made up the 13-point deficit from the opening minutes, even though we kept trying. That hurts, because in a game with no second chances, even the first six minutes can be decisive. The positive takeaway is that we stayed in it until the very end.

Thanks to everyone who was there in person and to those who cheered us on from Jena. Our focus is now back on the 2nd DBBL South, where we’ll continue our journey.

Jada Smith, 10 | Magdalena Zimmermann, 5 | Annika Heck, 16 | Jenna Rosanke, 0 | Hannah Biwersi, 8 | Lisa Hoppe, 6 | Stella Nwaobi, 0 | Laura Thiele, 2 | Annika Schwarz, 5