Mannheim Tornados’ head coach Matt Kemp gave a lengthy state-of-the-Tornados interview on the team website this week. Taking over for Georg Bull last winter, the player-coach spoke about the disappointment to miss the playoffs for a second straight season. He cited injuries to Sascha Lutz, Jonathan Wagner, Jordan Dyer, Jonathan Ellenbogen, Lukas Egetmeyer and himself as big reasons for the inconsistency in the beginning and the middle parts of the season. Eventually Mannheim found its rhythm and closed out the year with a 13-game winning streak. But it was too late to overcome the Mainz Athletics and Haar Disciples in the race for third and fourth in the southern division standings. In regards of the 2013 season Kemp revealed that Luke Matthews isn’t going to be available due to his studies in the United States. Dyer is playing in Australia, but could return. The same for Jeff Beachum, who went to South Africa for some winter ball.