Can Frankfurt reach quarterfinals by adding Masiulis and Bartolo?
First of all, Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt will participate at the Final tournament of the Bundesliga, after being at the 14th place when the Coronavirus stopped the German season. Other teams, like Wurzburg, Bayreuth and Braunschweig and Giessen decided to quit for the second stage of the competition, which made some room for Frankfurt to be included there. After a disastrous year, they have a good chance now to reach at least the quarterfinals, which is the equivalent of the playoffs. In this new special format of 2 groups with 5 teams, 4 of them will qualify, so it could be easier for Fraport Skyliners.
The German club has bad news and good ones. First, they have lost the center Leon Kratzer (2.11 m) who was their best man in the paint averaging 10 points and almost 8 rebounds per game. As well, in May, they parted ways with the American Matt Mobley (9 points and 3 assists per game). To replace them during the last days, Fraport Skyliners added 2 other players. In the paint, they will be helped by former Zalgiris, Gytis Masiulis who played this season in Basketball Champions League with Neptunas Klaipeda. The young center had 11 ppg and 5 rpg in the European campaign for the Lithuanian team. And at the forward position, the German team strengthen their roster by bringing in Yorman Polas Bartolo, an experienced German-Cuban who played last seasons with Telekom Baskets Bonn. He is 34 years old, very familiar with the German league, where is averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds per game this season.
It remains to see how these two players will fit into their new team, building chemistry and helping Fraport Skyliners to reach the higher stage of the competition. Their main direct battle could be with Rasta Vechta, in this group where the level is tied enough, only Alba Berlin being the main favourite.
Image: Basketball Champions League
Gratian Cormos
