Why all the Dudelingen hangs on a thigh

The final series of the basketball championship between Etzella Ettelbrück and T71 Düdelingen begins in Ettelbrück. The successor to Amicale Steinsel is determined in a maximum of five games. The « Luxembourg word » explains which factors could be decisive in the final.

The home advantage of Etzella

The Ettelbrücker ended the regular season with a record of 20: 2 in first place. Philippe Gutaufkauf and Co. knew before the play-offs that they would benefit from the home advantage in every round. Against Résidence and Arantia, Etzella only needed two games (a home and one away game) to qualify for the next round.

Since up to five duels can be held in the final series, the Ettelbrückers will compete at home at least twice. The decisive fifth game would also take place in Ettelbrück. Etzella has not lost any home game this season.

The return of Brandon Randolph

The Düdelinger Profi Brandon Randolph injured his thigh in the quarter -final series against Contern. T71 had to react at short notice and Gibbs Temple. The team of coach Yves Defraigne prevailed without Randolph against Steinsel, but is stronger with the 29-year-old. The Dudelinger now hope that Randolph will return in the course of the final series. Several doctor’s appointments were on the program this week, now the professional is to be slowly restored.

The hit rate by Yann Wolff

The defeat in the cup final against Esch was a bitter setback for the Ettelbrücker. In the Coque, the Escher focused on stopping Etzella-Profi Quatarrius Wilson. The 2.03 m tall American was doubled under the basket. Help came mainly from Clancy Rugg, who neglected his opponents Eric Zenners and Yann Wolff. Ettelbrück could not punish this, because ex-international Wolff only converted one of seven threes.

If the Dudelinger act similarly in defense, Etzella coach Gavin Love has to come up with something. However, if Wolff, as in the second duel with Résidence (three three), is also dangerous from a distance, T71 is denied this possibility.

The foul problems of T71

In the play-offs, the Düdelinger had already experienced the curious scenario twice that in the decisive phase of the game due to foul and injury problems, players were on the field that are not actually part of rotation. Both in the second quarter -final game against Contern and in the second duel with semi -final opponent Steinsel, the two inexperienced Fabian Agbodenou and Nils Schroeder had to go in the final minutes. T71 won both games, but coach Defraigne trembled. The top performers have to be careful against Etzella.

The special guard of Philippe Gutaufkauf

It is not for nothing that Philippe Gutauf was again elected as the most valuable Luxembourg in the league. The building actor can decide encounters. But some opponents can cause problems for the 30-year-old. In the cup final, Thomas Grün impressively showed how his long -standing national team colleague should be defended.

Dudelingen’s Dino Ceman also brings the physical prerequisites to make good buying life difficult. Despite its size (1.98 m), it is quick and agile. However, it will be crucial how aggressively he can defend Etzella’s key player and how high -proof he hits from a distance.