Sunday May 30th 2021
Semi-finals: top teams under pressure
Bavaria and Alba fail to compete
After the false start for Bayern Munich in the play-off semifinals of the basketball Bundesliga, Alba Berlin messes up against favorite opponent Ulm, of all places. Both of the top clubs that recently won the trophy are now under pressure.
The two cup finalists made a false start at the start of the play-off semi-finals for the German basketball championship. Cup winners Bayern Munich had to admit defeat at the main round leader MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 98: 101 (47:55), on Sunday defending champion Alba Berlin received a 71:73 (37:34) home defeat against ratiopharm Ulm in the final seconds.
“We actually had the game in our hands, but then let it slip away,” said Berlin’s Nils Giffey at MagentaSport, “Ulm chose very good plays in the end. Troy Caupain made everything clear with two transformed free throws 20 seconds before the end The outstanding player in the game was Ulm’s Dylan Osetkowski with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The second home game in the best-of-seven series on Tuesday will be played in front of around 1000 spectators by Alba.
In the end, Bayern Munich’s successful coach had no choice but to congratulate them politely. “Congratulations to Ludwigsburg. I think that you are the deserved winner in the end,” said Andrea Trinchieri. “Overall that was a poor performance on our part.” Ludwigsburg has home rights again in the second duel on Monday.
The winter access towers above
Then the European Cup heroes from the Bavarian metropolis have to significantly improve their mentality in order to gain the advantage in the series. “If you play a play-off series and arrive with the body language of regular playing time, it costs you the game,” complained Trinchieri, who was the first German team to reach the quarter-finals with Bayern in the EuroLeague after many close battles.
Munich gambled away a possible success in the first section and ran after the deficit for the rest of the game in vain. “29 points in the first quarter. We tried and managed to make a comeback – but didn’t get the job done,” said Trinchieri. Jamel McLean was unstoppable in front of Bayern’s basket. The Bundesliga returnees made 27 points for the giants. “We haven’t found a way to stop him. That was the key to the game,” said Trinchieri. And in front of his own basket, Ludwigsburg’s winter access towered over Jonah Radebaugh. “He was the game winner in defense today as well,” said giant head coach John Patrick.
In the unsuccessful race to catch up, the wear and tear of Bayern was also noticeable, who played their 83rd game of the season in Ludwigsburg, the hosts were only challenged a little more than half (43 games). Even EuroLeague all-star Vladimir Lucic could not prevent the Munich defeat with 24 points.
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