Recharged Brincat Thoresen mulling options after Wasserburg double

Rebecca Brincat Thoresen has just completed a glorious season in the top German league as the Malta international skippered TSV 1880 Wasserburg to a memorable league and cup double.

It was a huge achievement for the gutsy guard who was handed the captain’s armband at the start of the season despite experiencing some difficult times in the previous campaign.

The Munich-based team finis-hed the regular season in second place, just two points behind early pacesetters BC Pharmaserv Marburg.

However, in the play-off series Wasserburg clicked into gear as they breezed past New Basket Oberhausen (2-1) and TV Saarlouis Royals (2-0) to set up a final showdown with Elsvogel USC Freiburg who had surprisingly ousted Marburg in the other semi-final.

There were no surprises in the final though as Wasserburg clinched their sixth German title with a clear-cut 3-0 win in the play-offs following an 83-80 title-clincher in Game 3 at their Badria Sport & Freizeitzentrum.

The league championship meant a double for Wasserburg as a few weeks earlier they had secured the DBBL Pokal when they beat BG Donau-Ries 68-55 in the final.

“I’m really proud of my achieve-ments last season,” dual citizen-ship holder Brincat Thoresen told The Sunday Times.

“Being captain of the team that won a league and cup double filled me with great pride. The season before last was a difficult one for me and I was seriously consid-ering retirement.

“After the Cyprus GSSE, where the national team won a gold medal for Malta, I suffered an arm injury that ruled me out for almost four months and when I returned my peformances were well below par.

“At the end of the season I was mulling on quitting the game but Wasserburg convinced me to stay on for another year and I’m pleased to have taken their advice.”

Wasserburg are one of the most successful teams in the German Bundesliga, particularly the past decade or so. In fact, between 2004 and 2008 they succeeded in winning the league title five years in a row.

However, the team experienced a dip in the following two seasons forcing club administrators to revamp their first team squad.

“Being appointed team captain came as a huge surprise,” Brincat Thoresen, currently in Malta for holidays, said.

“The previous year the team fared badly. There was no teamwork and the group was split in several factions. That severely hampered our performances.

“Then, in the close season the club decided to restructure the whole set-up, bringing in new players so it wasn’t easy for me as there was tight competition for places in the team.

“But as the weeks passed the bond between the players and the coaching staff grew stronger and stronger and we became a very difficult team to beat. In the end, I was delighted to have repaid the faith of the club in me with such a great result. It was the first time Wasserburg had won the league and cup double.”

Brincat Thoresen’s contract with Wasserburg expired last month and the newly-crowned German champions have already tabled a new deal for her to consider.

Still, she has not yet made up her mind as she is currently considering other offers not only from the German league but also from an Italian club coached by a huge admirer of her qualities – Santino Coppa, the national team coach.

“I’m thinking very carefully on my next move,” Brincat Thoresen said.

“Wasserburg have tabled me a very good deal but I’m tempted by other offers. It’s no secret that there are other teams in Germany who are interested but I can’t see myself playing against Wasserburg in future.

“I also have offers from Italy, one of them from Priolo who are coached by Santino Coppa. I always dreamed of playing in Italy but first I have to see the conditions of a potential move there.

“At the moment, my husband is looking for a new job so I have to take the right decision that will benefit the interests of my family.”

In the past few weeks, the Malta Basketball Association underwent a number of changes in its President’s Council with the most notable being the election of Paul Sultana as new president. He replaced Magistrate Antonio Mizzi.

Brincat Thoresen, 33, said so far she didn’t have the opportunity to meet the newly-elected officials but made no secret of her readi-ness to help the MBA admini-stration promote the game.

“I would love to be involved in promotional activities by the MBA and attract more girls to the game,” Brincat Thoresen said.

“The level of women’s basket-ball in Malta compares well with other countries.

“I think our players need to have more self belief in their ability. I’m ready to help in many ways, perhaps even aspiring young players to improve their skills by hosting basketball clinics under the supervision of the MBA.

“Fifteen years ago I was shat-tered after failing to make the cut to the Australian national team but looking back it has been a blessing in disguise.

“Playing for Malta has been an amazing experience and I would love to give something back.”