Who Will Be Crowned King? Preview of the German Roundnet League Finals
The curtain closes on a pulsating Bundesliga season, and the stage is set for its grand finale: The Final 6! This weekend, March 23-24, 2024 in Kassel, Germany, the cream of the crop – the six fiercest competitors – clash for the ultimate glory – the title of German Bundesliga Champion. The air crackles with anticipation as the titans clash.
What is German Roundnet 1. Bundesliga?
Readers unfamiliar with Roundnet Germany's (RG) Roundnet League are encouraged to read the following article on RG's website. RG puts in lots of work in explaining the rules, decisions, or news to their roundnet players. In a nutshell, it is a popular squad competition during the cold winter months in Germany, consisting of at least 4 men and 2 women. Each squad plays two men's, two mixed, and one women's matches against the other squad.
How massive?
In its fourth edition, German Roundnet League (GRL) 2023/2024 saw 133 registered squads across three main divisions: 1. Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and Regional League. Yes, I kid you not, 133 squads - I had to use a calculator to count it - (also, I am a P.E. and English teacher, not math😄)- I could not believe it. In total 1830 roundnet players registered for the GRL.
Below, you can watch an after-movie from last year’s finals, after you finish reading this article😉.
Now, I shall have your attention. If not, this trophy should do the trick.
Favorites: Berlin, Fisch Pferd Fuchs, and Kassel Racoons
Berlin - Where women's experience meets young guns.
A combination of hungry studs, led by E. Grönebaum, R. Prüfer (known as Willy Wonka), or P. Kanis with experienced women's world vice-champions with team Germany and European Champions N. Haas, K. Dettman has proved to be too hot to handle in the regular season, as Berlin clinched the number one seed. Additionally, L. Washburn from Copenhagen, Denmark, arguably one of the best five women's players currently in Europe, could tip the scales in Berlin's favor.
Fisch Pferd Fuchs - the first Roundnet “Galacticos”
Despite some early struggles, Fisch Pferd Fuchs found their stride and climbed to fourth place in the regular season. That means, however, that they will highly likely face Berlin already in the semifinals. This star-studded team features, among many others, the best European women's athletes (L. Kunzelmann, R. Lorenz, and N. Alt from France/Puces&Dives), elite male servers such aj M. Bürkle (winner ETS Vienna '23) and J. Krehle and consistent/artistic Spanish-German/Austrian duo of M. Bermejo Passeti and M. Anderle.
Kassel Racoons
On the contrary, if we view Fisch Pferd Fuchs as Real Madrid, Kassel Racoons must be the roundnet's Athletico Madrid - fighting spirit, unmatched team chemistry, and unorthodox playing style, led by mixed European Champion F. Claus, rely on a strong herd mentality. Thanks to their consistent performance during the regular season, Kassel could face one of the two other favorites first in the finals, if they can beat their semifinal opponent, which is not going to be an easy task, no matter the opposition. Nevertheless, with a close score, the home crowd could prove to be the X-factor that pushes Racoons to victory.
A real-life Galactico in roundnet’s boardroom
P. Kessel, who is an All-Star himself in terms of roundnet development in Europe, a man behind RG’s social media channels shared, what GRL means for Roundnet Germany.
“The Final 6 is a milestone in the development of Roundnet in Germany. It is the culmination of a league season that has once again surpassed the previous year in terms of size, number of participants, and importance for people. This shows that the system is becoming more and more established and that people are excited about it. The weekend is of course an absolute highlight with the 1st league on Saturday and the 2nd league on Sunday in the same hall. Kassel is putting a lot of work into it - big praise for that! It should be a nice get-together and especially in the 1st league it should also unite some of the best players in Europe.”
Naturally, Saturday could be perceived as the main event, but eight teams will fight for three 1. Bundesliga spots on Sunday, which promises another full day of amazing roundnet. So, if you are a roundnet fan living within a reasonable distance from Kassel, you'd better stop by this amazing event to be entertained by world-class roundnet and its amazing people!
Summary:
Event: March 23-24, 2024
Location: Damaschkestraße 25a, Kassel, Germany
Teams: Berlin, Roundnet Racoons, Heidelberg, NULL SECHS NEUN Frankfurt, Ravens & Griffins, Fisch Pferd Fuchs
Tickets: free
Scores: RG player zone
Livestream: Twitch
More Information: RG Instagram