Bundesliga win a confidence boost says Olympic medallist Unruh

Header photo courtesy Frank Heinen/DSB.

BSC BB-Berlin won the 2018 German Bundesliga archery final in Wiesbaden on 24 February, recording its fifth win at the tournament by beating surprise finalist Blankenfelder BS08 in four sets.

The Berlin team featured Olympic silver medallist Lisa Unruh and newly-crowned World Archery Indoor Champion Elena Richter – both just back from the world indoors in Yankton – along with Jannis Kramer, Carlo Schmidt and Eric Skoeries.

“It was a great atmosphere in Wiesbaden. And really awesome to win the gold final,” said Unruh.

“Winning gives me a really big confidence boost ahead of the outdoor season; I’m really happy to shoot in the Bundesliga.”

There was some confusion with Berlin’s status after the group stages, with an unusual shoot-off called for, but the squad had enough points to progress to the semifinals – and eventually take gold.

The Bundesliga is a multi-tiered competitive structure, split into different divisions in Germany, with clubs paying a license fee to participate – and fielding mixed-gender recurve squads in scheduled competitions.

Winners of the top divisions are invited to the Bundesliga Finale, held in Wiesbaden, to contest an annual title.  

“Having mixed teams in the Bundesliga is great. It’s the same like normal teams; the keys are harmony and trust,” said Unruh.

BSC BB-Berlin were coached by Irene Abel.

Third place at the Bundesliga Final went to SV Querum.