There was little holiday calm in the Sandäckerhalle. When RegioTeam Stuttgart hosted the Young Tigers Tübingen at 9:30 am on 3 October, a fast, loud and at times hectic U14w duel unfolded. Two evenly matched teams, visible nerves and plenty of movement on the court: this Regionalliga game demanded a lot from both sides. In the end, the RegioTeam girls, coached by the duo of Lukas Passon and Claudia Gutekunst, won 74:64.
For this home game, Stuttgart played in Steinenbronn. The RegioTeam girls took the first quarter 17:12. A good start, but far from a cushion. Tübingen pushed back, used their physicality and made it clear that every further point would have to be earned.
The second quarter also went to Stuttgart, 17:14. At half-time it was 34:26 – an eight-point lead in a game whose intensity could not be read from the scoreboard alone.
After the break, the Young Tigers came back with their strongest attacking quarter. Tübingen scored 23 points in this period, RegioTeam 20. Going into the last ten minutes, it was only 54:49. A five-point gap: the game was still open.
In the final quarter Stuttgart found the answer. Another 20 points of their own, this time against 15 from the visitors, brought the 74:64 final score. RegioTeam had rebuilt the lead after Tübingen’s comeback and solved a demanding task.
Decided at the free-throw line
A look at the shooting statistics shows how close the two teams were: both made 29 field goals. Stuttgart scored 28 two-pointers and one three-pointer, Tübingen 29 two-pointers. A key difference came at the free-throw line: RegioTeam scored 15 points there, the Young Tigers six.
The visitors’ physical style of play led to numerous fouls and stoppages, which repeatedly slowed the flow of the game and gave Stuttgart chances at the line. In total, Tübingen were charged with 27 personal fouls and RegioTeam with 20. Despite all the intensity, the game remained fair and free of serious injuries.
After the 82:50 opener against Ulm, this win was a different kind of test. Tübingen closed in on RegioTeam in the third quarter – Stuttgart held firm. A win from which the newly formed team can take not only the points but also confidence for the challenges ahead.