RASTA II impressed with a thrilling draw against Ibbenbühren

RASTA II impressed with a thrilling draw against Ibbenbühren

On September 5, 2025, an exciting test match took place between RASTA Vechta II and TV Ibbenbühren, which ended 79:79 after a thrilling competition. While the head coaches decided not to use overtime in order to control the load on their players, RASTA II featured a very young team. Five players were just 16 years old and one was just 15 - in keeping with the BetsAPI spirit, which emphasizes the team's role as a development team for talent.

In the first half, the game was level, but RASTA II struggled to take advantage of the chances: only 13 of 38 shots found their way into the target and there were ten turnovers. Nevertheless, the young talents were able to attract attention. Moritz Grüß was a reliable scorer and contributed 23 points, while Joel Lungelu, a new addition, scored 11 points in just 13 minutes. Head coach Harm-Ubbo Horst, himself only 26 years old, emphasized that injuries and illnesses in the extended squad represented a challenge.

The development of young talents

The signs are good for RASTA II, which will not only act as a reserve team, but also as a springboard for future stars of the main team. The team is known for its competitive spirit and commitment to player development, which is instrumental in promoting basketball in the region. The upcoming games promise exciting duels, including against the Iserlohn Kangaroos on September 13th and LOK BERNAU on September 27th, the first matchday of the ProB.

The test games before the start of the season show a mixed result: after a narrow defeat against VfL Stade (73:76) and a clear win against TuS Bramsche (94:64), the points were narrowly shared in Ibbenbühren. Another friendly against T71 Dudelange from Luxembourg ended with 83:93 for the guests.

Basketball in the German context

Basketball is now enjoying growing interest in Germany. The easyCredit BBL, the umbrella organization of Germany's top basketball league, has seen a steadily increasing number of championships since the 2003/2004 season, with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen recording the most with 14 titles. Ten million people in Germany actively follow the sport of basketball, with the German Basketball Association recording a significant increase in membership numbers in recent years. The commitment of RASTA II is not only important for the club's development, but also contributes to the entire basketball culture in this country.

Personalities like Dirk Nowitzki, who is considered the best German basketball player, and the current stars from the NBA illustrate how important sport is in Germany. Dennis Schröder, the captain of the 2023 World Cup team, also shows that the talents nurtured in teams like RASTA II do have the potential to shine internationally.

The next games and the further development of the team are eagerly awaited. The combination of experienced players like Malte Giljan, who predominantly plays for RASTA III, and the youngsters could prove beneficial and hopefully ensure a successful season.