As of 11:53 a.m
Tough duels in the semifinals: Ulm’s Bruno Caboclo (right) is attacked by Munich’s Freddie Gillespie
Source: dpa/Marcel Engelbrecht
The basketball players from Ratiopharm Ulm only finished the preliminary round in seventh place. In the playoffs, however, they are in great form. First Alba Berlin had to believe in it, now apparently also FC Bayern.
Dhe basketball players from Ratiopharm Ulm continued their impressive play-off run and also won the second game against title favorites FC Bayern Munich. In the second of five possible semi-final games in the basketball league on Tuesday evening, coach Andrea Trinchieri’s team won 93:88 (44:39). After their surprising quarter-final success over champions Alba Berlin, Ulm now have the next title contender on the verge of defeat. With a win in the third duel on Friday, Ulm, who finished the preliminary round in seventh place, could make it perfect for the final in front of a home crowd.
“No one is allowed to dream of anything. It’s 2-0 and that’s only a partial success,” warned Ulm’s coach Anton Gavel, looking ahead to the third play-off duel. The outsider from Ulm got off to a brilliant start in the second game and was quickly 12:2 ahead. After less than three minutes, FCB coach Andrea Trinchieri took the first time out – without any positive consequences for his team. Ulm played an almost perfect first quarter and surprised the cup winner with his speed. Thanks to two successful long-range shots by Yago dos Santos, the guests deservedly led 27:20.
Gavel’s team, who played professionally for FC Bayern between 2014 and 2018, was initially unable to maintain his level. The hosts defended more consistently and even briefly took the lead after converting free throws from national player Andi Obst. Then Ulm turned up the heat again and Thomas Klepeisz led his team to the 44:39 half-time score with a buzzer beater.
“Don’t want to let us take this thing anymore”
After the change of sides, Bayern initially fell apart completely. Simple ball losses and an extremely weak defense meant that Ulm was 18 points ahead. “We lost the game there,” said coach Andrea Trinchieri, referring to simple ball losses and misses. As if out of nowhere, the Munich team, led by Captain Obst (34 points), then started to catch up and closed the gap to within three points. But the urge phase came too late and Ulm trembled to match point thanks to their point guard dos Santos (21).
“The players are improving and playing with a lot of energy and vigour,” Gavel praised his team: “Full concentration on Friday. The last steps are always the hardest,” said the trainer. Player Karim Jallow and announced: “At home we don’t want to let the thing take us anymore.”
In the second semi-final series, Telekom Baskets Bonn and MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg face each other. Bonn had won the opening game on Monday. The second game will take place again in Bonn on Wednesday evening.
