There were four 3-0 victories at the start of the BBL play-offs. Now the semi-finals are on the program – and they should be closer. Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri vehemently rejects the role of favourite.
Sees himself as an outsider against Bonn: Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri.
IMAGO/Alexander Trienitz
Not Master Alba, not Bayern, not Ludwigsburg and not Bonn. No semi-finalist has suffered a defeat in the BBL play-offs so far, and for the first time since the best-of-five format was introduced more than 20 years ago, four clean-sheet clubs have met each other. The teams were therefore able to save energy, of course. But one thing is clear: at least two series break at the weekend.
Alba Berlin and the MHP giants from Ludwigsburg will start on Friday (7 p.m. / MagentaSport). The defending champion, who beat Brose Bamberg 3-0 in the quarter-finals, has a lot of respect. “They are tough and very physical,” said guard Jaleen Smith. “After Ludwigsburg beat us twice in the main round, they will go into the series with a lot of confidence.”
Ludwigsburg is “getting even better every year,” said Alba head coach Israel Gonzalez, the upcoming opponents play “unconventionally, often with a small line-up. It’s a challenge to adapt to this style,” emphasized the Spaniard, highlighting the recent achievements of the Ludwigsburger pointed out: “Two years ago we played against them in the final, last year they were first in the main round.”
Unlike the Berliners, who were vastly superior to Bamberg, the MHP giants prevailed in the closest of all quarter-final duels. Although Ludwigsburg knocked out ratiopharm Ulm 3-0, they had to go into extra time twice, even going into doubles at the start. Against Alba, the giants, who are still waiting for their first title, are the underdogs.
“We feel comfortable in the role of not being the favourites”
In the second semi-final on Saturday (8:30 p.m.), the Bayern basketball team will play the resurgent Telekom Baskets Bonn, who are in the top four for the first time since 2009 and have a home advantage thanks to their second place in the main round in the series. Bonn’s coach Tuomas Iisalo earned their place against the Hamburg Towers. “We feel comfortable in the role of not being the favourites,” Bonn manager Andreas Boettcher told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: “I think we can beat any opponent in this league, including Bayern. It’s going to be difficult, to do that in a five-game streak.”
Munich, which caused a sensation this season by jumping into the Euroleague quarter-finals again, defeated “nemesis” Niners Chemnitz 3-0 after three bankruptcies in a row. However, in the last duel, which went into overtime, there was also a portion of luck.
Trinchieri sees his team as underdogs
In addition, Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri recently complained about a number of injuries, which is why he does not see his team as favored against Bonn. The Bavarians have “now the privilege of being pure outsiders,” said the Italian: “Everything is against us at first. But of course we are determined to fight like Don Quixote.”
Trinchieri released his team for the time being after months of stress, a break of seven days between two games is an unusual luxury for Bayern after the long triple burden of league, cup and EuroLeague. “Hopefully we can recover well,” said Trinchieri, “and get some players fit.” Bayern should be particularly warned about Bon’s top star Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who scored 36, 41 and 31 points in the first three play-off games.
