It could have been a memorable birthday for Till Isemann, the winger of the Dresden Titans. The Margon Arena shook, 1873 fans held their breath, and on the court two teams gave everything for victory in the 2nd BARMER Basketball Bundesliga ProA. But despite the emotional climax and the apparent dominance in the first half, Dresden lost 85:88 against the JobStairs Giessen 46ers.
The game started promisingly. Duane Wilson of the 46ers put forward with a jump shot, but the Titans, led by Till Isemann and other key players, quickly came back and kept control. Isemann, who turned 27 that day, seemed electrified. The Titans' lead was clear at halftime, and victory seemed within reach.
But then the momentum of the game changed. "We ran out of steam toward the end, which is usually one of our strengths," Isemann admitted in the sponsor's area after the game. It was as if someone had flipped a switch. The team's energy dropped, and the 46ers took ice-cold advantage of the opportunity.
Titans head coach Fabian Strauß had predicted: "As soon as we take our foot off the gas, they're effective." And so it came. The visitors from Giessen found their rhythm, led the game in crunch time and left the Titans and their fans breathless.
It is a game that will be remembered, not only for the highly exciting ending, but also for the emotions it evoked. It was a test, both of the Titans' abilities and their mental toughness. And it was a painful realization for the team and for Isemann on his birthday: talent alone isn't always enough to win.
This loss could be a wake-up call for the Titans, who now face challenges. But it also shows they have what it takes to keep up with the league's best. They just need to learn how to bring a game home. And for Giessen, this win could be an important step toward the playoffs.
