Facts at a Glance
- Event: Final game of the NBBL promotion round South
- Match: Science City Jena U19 vs. Würzburg
- Result: 91:60 (Half-time: 49:36)
- Success: Promotion to the A-Division & entry into the 2026 playoffs
- Next Opponent: Ludwigsburg (Round of 16 in March)
Jena, February 24, 2026 – Great celebration at the Jenaer Sportgymnasium: The U19 basketball players of Science City Jena delivered an outstanding performance on the last matchday. With a clear home victory against Würzburg, the team secured not only the group victory in the promotion round South but also the long-awaited return to Germany’s highest youth league, the A-Division of the NBBL. Simultaneously, this triumph signifies direct entry into this year’s playoffs.
A dominant home victory secures promotion
The starting position before the match was clear, but the pressure on the young athletes was palpable. However, the Jena team, coached by Marius Linartas, started the encounter highly concentrated. The goal was to correct a narrow away defeat from the direct duel against Würzburg early on. This was achieved impressively from the first minute. By the end of the first quarter, the hosts had already played their way to a deserved 25:16 lead.
The intensity of the Saalestädter did not diminish in the second quarter either. With strong defense and efficient chance conversion, the team extended the lead to 49:36 by half-time. The final decision came in the third quarter. In front of numerous enthusiastic spectators at the Jenaer Sportgymnasium, Science City dominated the action on the court. A 24:11 run ensured a comfortable score of 73:47 before the final break. In the closing quarter, the Jena team confidently maintained their lead and finished the game with a clear 91:60 victory. With this win, Jena concludes the promotion round South as the undisputed league leader.
The importance of youth development at the Jena location
This success is not only a sporting statement but also a confirmation of the excellent youth development in the Lichtstadt. The Sportgymnasium in the Jenaer Sportzentrum, located in the immediate vicinity of the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, is considered one of the most important talent factories for young athletes in Central Germany. Through the close integration of school education and competitive sports training, the location offers the athletes optimal conditions.
The Nachwuchs-Basketball-Bundesliga (NBBL) is divided into an A and a B division in the youth sector. The return to the A-Division now achieved means that Jena’s talents can once again regularly compete with the absolute top programs in the country in the coming season. This is a decisive factor for the individual development of the players, who aim to make the jump into the professional men’s sector in the medium term.
Outlook: Ludwigsburg awaits in the playoff round of 16
After the celebrations, the focus quickly returns to the upcoming sporting tasks. The season is far from over for the successful U19 team. As a reward for the strong promotion round, they now proceed to the playoffs for the German championship.
In the round of 16, a true heavyweight of German youth basketball awaits Marius Linartas’ team with the youth program from Ludwigsburg. The Baden-Württemberg talent factory is traditionally known for its physical presence and an intense style of play. The first leg of this round is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026. The decisive return leg will take place exactly one week later, on March 22, 2026. Basketball fans from Jena can thus look forward to further exciting duels at a high level.
We congratulate the entire team on their promotion and wish them much success for the upcoming playoff challenges!
Source:
Jenaer U19 feiert Aufstieg und Playoff-Einzug
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.