Astros in the semifinals:

“WU should come! We’re ready and fired up to win”

The JKU Astros welcome the WU Tigers in the semi-finals of the ACSL play-offs. Savo Blagojevic (m.) and Co. are ready.(Bild: Florian Reisinger, Photoshop)

From zero wins in their debut season to the semi-finals of the play-offs. After a first trial year in the ACSL (Austrian College Sports League), the JKU Astros basketball players have fired up the turbines and steered the spaceship towards the semi-finals. On Saturday, the Linzers will now welcome the WU Tigers, the league's most in-form team.

"Making it to the play-offs shows that we've long since overcome our teething troubles after the first season and can easily keep up with the Viennese," says captain Andreas Falb confidently. He and his colleagues have clearly exceeded their goal of having at least a few wins to their name by the end of the season. According to Falb, the decisive factor was primarily the team spirit. "That and regular training sessions, of course - hard work pays off."

"Team spirit improves every week"
Words that Savo Blagojevic can only agree with. "We started training right after the end of last season and the hard work has paid off. We all know how hard we've worked this season and we don't want to disappoint the crowd on Saturday," says the point guard, looking ahead to the upcoming clash against the business students. "WU has a very good team. But we're playing in Linz and with our crowd and the atmosphere, it will be very difficult for the Tigers." Especially as the Astros have tasted blood after their recent successes. "The team spirit feels like it's improving every week. It's very nice to play in a team like this, where everyone pulls together and wants to win together," says Blagojevic.

With eight wins from ten games this season, the Tigers travel to Linz as clear favorites with bared teeth and extended claws. However, the Astros will not be impressed by this, as Falb wants to make clear: "WU should come - we are ready and eager to win!"