FC Bayern Munich loses its Euroleague duel against Alba Berlin in a heartbeat final. In any case, it was all about prestige – and sparring for the upcoming final sprint of the league. Because in international competition, the Munich team has virtually no chance of making the playoffs.
It was the duel of table 15th, Bayern Munich, against 18th and last, Alba Berlin. Before this German-German Euroleague game, it was already clear that, in a purely sporting sense, there was not much more at stake for both clubs. The places that qualify for the playoffs are too far away. However, in front of a sold-out house in Munich’s Audi Dome, a lively and, in the end, very exciting game developed. This duel is always a bit about prestige and the question of who is the better German Euroleague representative. The answer this Friday evening: Berlin. The champion defeated the cup winner in a dramatic final phase with 76:75 (38:37). 5.7 seconds before the end, Bayern were still in the lead with 75:74, but Berlin scored 1.3 seconds before the end with a dunk to make it 76:75.
Andreas Obst would also have wished for a nicer evening. The 26-year-old national player and three-point expert has extended his contract with Bayern by three years until 2026, as his club announced on Friday just a few hours before kick-off. “I was incredibly well received here from the start and immediately felt comfortable. That applies to everyone, the team, the staff, the coaches, including the office,” Obst was quoted as saying in the message. FCB sporting director Daniele Baiesi said: “Andi is a cornerstone of our present and at the same time our future.” In the meantime, Obst has developed into a top performer in coach Andrea Trinchieri’s team.
Last season, the native of Halle made his debut for Bayern in the Euroleague, in the playoff series against FC Barcelona he then impressed with a three-point quota of almost 42 percent. But against Berlin, Obst also had huge jams: not a single one of his six attempts from three ended up in the basket, Obst only scored two points in this game, which Bayern lost a blink of an eye before the final siren.
