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Balingen are finally complete - and very dangerous

'Due to numerous injuries in the preparatory part, we are eight weeks away from optimal shape, and that is especially visible in the defense and counterattack segment", says away coach Brack, who will be playing the bigger part of the match with 7 players on the offense

The hall in Solingen has been sold out once again, and judging by the last three matches played by Bergischer - all three decided in the last minute - the fans are in for an interesting 60 minutes. After a home defeat against Melsungen, the rookie in the league went back to winning points and had a draw against Minden, even though they could win. They led 25-23 in the 50th minute, but were behind 29-28 in the 58th.

Today's opponent is tactically completely different from Minden. Balingen are playing uniquely, in a way which requires a lot of focus and quality preparation, so it is important that Bergischer had a whole week to prepare.

- With 3-2-1 defense, played for years, they want to disrupt the opponent's game and create pressure. They're running a lot and we have to stop them to have a good match - warns left back Gutbrod, former Balingen player, so he is someone who knows their style, game and methods of coach Brack.

- At first, it seems that this won't be a special match for me, so it's not too important for me, it's more important that we win two new points.

Coach Hinze is aware that Balingen have many interesting things to show on offense, not just defense.

- They're playing the whole match with a seventh player in the field, they take the goalkeeper out when they're on the offense. We can't play defense like we usually do, we have to do more all the time to get the ball, because they have more players all the time.

His recipe for winning goes like this:

- Balingen can be beaten with a tough defense and counterattacks, not by shooting at a placed offense.

Again, Hinze cannot count on right back Hermann, who has been missing since the beginning of the season. Right winger Gunnarsson is also injured, and during practice, left winger Artmann sustained an injury (Hoße is the first option here) so he is questionable.

Balingen are coming to Solingen after a loss at home to the improving Hamburg. They took a 7-4 lead after 10 minutes, but when HSV levelled the score at 8-8, until the end it was obvious because already in the 38th minute, it was 23-16 for the away team.

- With a perfect game, we could have won this, but we missed too many chances on the offense - said pivot Theuerkauf.

Coach Brack can be happy that Tubic is back, an important man in the 3-2-1 defense. Now Balingen are complete for the first time and from now on, they could be very difficult to many teams.

- The first 10 minutes against HSV are the indicator of how we must play, but not only for 10, but 40-50 minutes - said veteran Ettwein.

- Due to numerous injuries in the preparatory part, we are eight weeks away from optimal shape, and that is especially visible in the defense and counterattack segment. We lost to the currently best team in Germany, HSV's play is world-class. We were good, but not good enough - said coach Brack.

Bergischer are not HSV, so the expectations right before today's match are significantly higher.

- If we continue against Hannover and HSV from the first part, we can be successful - says director Karrer.

There was some trouble during preparation, because Häfner, Strobel (on the picture) and Schlinger were away because their on the national team. Brack, however, said that the good thing is that Theuerkauf did not have to go, so they could work more on defense. Balingen are going to be greeted by the same line up that played against HSV, so no absences.

Bergischer have lost at a home game against Melsungen, and then scored a draw of 29-29 in an away game against Minden. Today I expect another efficient and uncertain match, though I also think that Balingen are clearly underestimated. They are a good team who suffered too many injuries at the start of the season. Last week they put up a good resistance against Hamburg, they played for the first time as the whole line-up and I think that they can reach their points today. The outer line Schilinger - Strobel - Häfner is nothing weaker than the host's with Breggren and Szilagy. Balingen have the better pivot, and I would dare say their wings are better as well. I repeat, I believe they are underestimated, and clearly the better team in this match.