Starting the season with a bang: BCB face Wipperfeld in away game
Popov and Lohau begin with firecracker of a duel
On Sunday (21 September 2025) at 11 p.m., 1. BC Saarbrücken-Bischmisheim will be beginning the new 1. Badminton Bundesliga season. They are starting with a face-off against title contender 1. BC Wipperfeld – an encounter that will offer an exciting sporting event and also serve as an initial stocktake for both teams. The match will be held at the VOSS Arena in Wipperfürth.
Both teams were knocked out in the playoff semi-finals last season and have put in lots of preparation for the new season. Wipperfeld have a strong lineup of top international players, but the BCB squad also offers quality and depth.
Squad built on continuity with international bolstering
Saarland are drawing on proven talent paired with a few additions. German national players Marvin Seidel, Stine Küspert and Daniel Hess remain part of the team. Isabel Lohau is returning from maternity leave and looking forward to her comeback: ‘Development work is going well at the moment. There are some small highs and lows, as is standard for any “normal rehab”. Returning for the first Bundesliga match of the season is still realistic and I cannot wait to be back on the badminton court.’
New arrival Toma Junior Popov is the focus of particular attention. The top French player is currently 15th in the world for men’s singles and adds a touch of international class. Club president Frank Liedke was very enthusiastic:
Toma Junior is an absolutely world-class man who will be a real asset to us for both singles and doubles. He always provides a show on the court and his ambition will fuel the rest of the team. We are looking forward to having him!
The other new additions to the team are Sara Thygesen (Denmark), Kaloyana Nalbantova (Bulgaria) and Giovanni Toti (Italy). BCB will be seeking to use this blend of experience and fresh blood to reach the playoffs and have a say in the title fight – their goal for the season.
Looking ahead: first home game and other fixtures
After BCB‘s first match in Wipperfürth, things continue on 5 October with an away game against SC Union Lüdinghausen. Their first home game is on Sunday 19 October at 3 p.m. at the Joachim-Deckarm-Halle in Saarbrücken, against 1. BV Mülheim.
The upshot: challenging start, ambitious team
BCB are starting the new season with a real acid test in the shape of an away game against one of the strongest competitors in the league. However, a strong core, exciting new additions and the return of Isabel Lohau mean that the team is ready to prove what they can do early on. Fans can look forward to a season of top-quality matches with a motivated squad.