“Undeserved”: Grünwettersbach’s “survival in the league didn’t go as planned”
ASC Grünwettersbach will remain in the top flight of the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) next season. As the current bottom-place team, the Baden-based club is well aware of the fortunate circumstances that allowed them to avoid relegation—namely, the decision by second-division champion TSV Windsbach to forgo promotion.
Even after Easter, the mood at ASC Grünwettersbach remains subdued. Humility, in particular, characterizes the mood among the Baden-based team following their escape from relegation from the TTBL.
Everyone at the bottom of the table is well aware that, without second-division champion TSV Windsbach’s decision to forgo promotion, Coach Kilian Ort’s team would almost certainly have found itself in the second-tier lower division as the season draws to a close. “Staying up—but not as expected,” was the headline the Karlsruhe team used on social media for a decidedly sober statement on the happy ending for the ASC after months of nail-biting suspense.
The relief over the developments in Windsbach around the holidays did nothing to cloud the outlook of the club’s leadership, led by sporting director Martin Werner, regarding the realities of nearly five months without a win and a dozen losses: “Mentally, we were already in the second division. We didn’t earn this survival on the field. That’s why a big celebration just doesn’t feel right.”
Werner had previously spoken plainly in the local press by describing the reverse logic. “We didn’t shout ‘Hurray.’ We have mixed feelings because, after such a poor season, we would have deserved to be relegated,” said the ASC manager.
Grünwettersbach’s leading figure, Ricardo Walther, also does not want the former cup winner’s involuntary dependence on external factors to become “the norm.” The national team player is counting on an effective analysis of the causes behind the disappointing season. “It’s important to learn from this season so we can do better in the future. For our development, this can also be like a fresh start,” explained the veteran.
However, Walther does not view the rather fortunate circumstances of avoiding relegation after eleven years as a blemish: “In recent years, several teams have avoided relegation because no second-division team was promoted. Eventually, no one will ask anymore, and it won’t matter how we managed to stay up.”
Nevertheless, the club aims to avoid a repeat of the horrific season that is coming to a close through an honest analysis of the season. “There is no reason to sit back. That was a warning shot; Windsbach won’t let it happen a second time,” the club statement read: “We are ready to embark on this path anew with a clear focus on the future.”
This also includes finalizing the roster exclusively for another year in the German elite division. The ASC is still looking for a replacement for two-time world champion Hiroto Shinozuka, who has already confirmed he will be leaving after one year.
Florian Manzke
Featured image above:ASC Grünwettersbach team (photo: Hansruedi Lüthi)