Jena, May 8, 2026 – Science City Jena has secured its place in the Basketball-Bundesliga (BBL). With an 81:79 victory after overtime against MLP Academics Heidelberg late Thursday evening, the Thuringians sent not only the guests but also the Basketball Löwen Braunschweig into the second division.
- Result: Science City Jena – MLP Academics Heidelberg 81:79 OT (69:69, 30:43)
- Competition: Basketball-Bundesliga (BBL), Matchday 33
- Significance: League stay for Jena; relegation for Heidelberg and Braunschweig
Brilliant comeback in regulation time
After a mixed start, the Jena basketball players had to fight their way back into the game. At halftime, the hosts were still trailing significantly at 30:43. However, with a massive improvement in performance in the second half, Science City managed to continuously reduce the deficit and force a 69:69 equalizer at the end of regulation time.
Decision in overtime
In the subsequent extra time, the hosts kept their nerves in their home arena and secured the celebrated 81:79 victory. It was the decisive twelfth win of the season for the promoted team, which thus manifests its membership in the highest German league for another year. For the direct competitors from Heidelberg as well as the Basketball Löwen Braunschweig, the outcome of the match means the definitive move to the second division (ProA).
Background: Top-level basketball in Jena
The basketball players of Science City Jena play their home games in the Jenaer multi-purpose arena in the district of Burgau. The club has established itself as a central sporting flagship of the Lichtstadt alongside the regional league football club. In the highly professionalized BBL, which is often dominated by clubs from financially strong metropolises, maintaining league status for a club from a university city like Jena regularly represents a massive sporting and economic milestone.
Source:
BBL: Jena knocks Heidelberg and Braunschweig out of the BBL
Transparency Note: This article was automatically created, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.