RSB Thuringia Bulls have announced that Swedish international, Joakim Lindén will return to the club for the Champions Cup weekend, after five years away from the game. Lindén spoke with Rollt.’s Dylan Cummings about why he decided to return to the Bulls.
Why did you decide to return to the Bulls for the Champions Cup?
“Lutz and Michael asked me if I wanted to come and play in the Champions Cup and it was an offer that I couldn’t turn down. Not everyone gets the opportunity to play in this tournament after being away from the game for five years. I love basketball so for me it was an easy decision and I’m happy that I was able to take some time off work in Sweden.”
What do the Bulls mean to you?
“The Thuringia Bulls mean everything to me. I have been a part of this organisation for a long time, and it feels like a second family here. Lutz, the management and all the players have given me a great welcome and I’m happy to be back for the Champions Cup.”
What are you most looking forward to this weekend?
“I haven’t played a real basketball game for a long time, so it will be fun and entertaining to do so on the biggest stage against the best teams and players in the world. Getting the opportunity to play together with my teammates that I have known for a long time will also be the best feeling ever.”
Have you had the chance to watch some footage of your opponents and if so, who are you most looking forward to playing against?
“Yeah, I have watched a lot of footage to prepare myself the best I can. For me it would be fun to play against the teams from the Spanish league because we don’t have the opportunity to play them that often. But in the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who we face.”
Will you come back to the Bulls full-time next season?
“That’s a hard question which I don’t have an answer for right now. I love basketball and this team but at this moment I have work and a girlfriend in Sweden. We will see what happens.”
How would you describe your style of play?
“I would say that I’m an all-round player who is not the best at one specific thing but good at most things. I try to be aggressive at both sides of the floor, be a facilitator and shoot the open shots.”
Has anyone specifically influenced you to play the way you do?
“When I was young and started playing in the Swedish national team, I got the opportunity to watch and play with Hussein Haidari who taught me a lot of things. Then I compiled it with my own playing style throughout the years.”
What piece of advice has stuck with you throughout your career?
“To never give up and that you can do anything you set your mind to.”
If you could do a training session with three other players from anywhere in the world, male or female to improve your skills, which players would you choose and why?
“Patrick Anderson from Canada for his court vision and ability to read the game. Terry Bywater from Great Britain for his clutchness and shooting ability and Shaun Norris from Australia because I feel we almost have the same playing style.”
Thanks for your time Joakim!
Rollt. would like to thank Joakim Lindén for the interview!
Joakim Lindén Profile:
Date of Birth: 01/12/1988 (aged 32)
Hometown: Norrköping, Östergötland
Started playing: 2005
Sweden senior debut: Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games – Beijing, China
Classification: 2.5
Disability: Paraplegic
Current Club: RSB Thuringia Bulls, GER (2010-14, 2015-16, 2021)
Former Clubs: Norrköping Dolphins, SWE (2005-10, 2014-15)
Career Highlights: 2016 Bundesliga and Pokal Champions
Interview: Dylan Cummings | Photo: Steffie Wunderl