"Once in a century": Chemnitz celebrates coach Pastore

After reaching a European semi-final for the first time, the Niners Chemnitz are celebrating their successful coach Rodrigo Pastore. "Sometimes you make a move like this once in a century. Then something can happen," the managing director of the Bundesliga basketball club, Steffen Herold, told MDR. "I wouldn't be surprised if there's a statue in the city one day. He deserves that."

The victory in the quarter-final second leg of the Europe Cup in Zaragoza was the Niners' 200th competitive game win under Pastore. In total, the Argentinian has been on the touchline for 333 games. "You simply have to congratulate the people involved back then for managing to bring Rodrigo here," said Herold. Pastore has been coach at Chemnitz since 2015. He led the club from the second division to the top of the Bundesliga.

Chemnitz will face Bilbao in the semi-finals. The first leg will take place on March 27 in the Basque country. A week later, the final will be decided in Chemnitz. "It's a competition where you can win a title and that's the spirit in our squad. How often do you get the chance in your life?" asked Herold.