The FC Bayern basketball players started the Euroleague season with an 80:68 (36:44) win against their German opponents Alba Berlin. After a weak first half, new coach Pablo Laso’s team improved in the second half and revealed what this noble, strengthened squad is capable of.
Of course, the World Cup heroes were initially the focus: the four world champions remaining in the Bundesliga, Andreas Obst, Isaac Bonga, Niels Giffey, who was sitting next to the field in civilian clothes after a cold, and Johannes Thiemann were honored. Thiemann, the Berliner from the world champion quartet, had reminded before the game that both teams were in a “discovery process”. Because both FCB and Alba have given their squads a relaunch. This was initially particularly true on the host side was hard to miss. The Munich team started the game well and led 8:2, with NBA signing Serge Ibaka demonstrating with his presence under the basket what he can bring to Bayern’s game. But with Berlin’s equalizer, all security disappeared , passes repeatedly ended up in the opponent’s hands or sailed out of bounds. Because the throw yield also left a lot to be desired, Berlin deservedly led at the break with 44:36. Much to Laso’s displeasure, the coach stalked into the dressing room with his head bowed.
There he apparently found the right words: With an 8-0 run, the deficit was made up in no time, and Bonga in particular (11 points, 10 rebounds) took massive responsibility. And suddenly the shots came, either the lightning-fast French playmaker Sylvain Francisco, top scorer with 17 points, scored, or center Devin Booker (10) thundered the ball through the ring. The guests, where Thiemann and Louis Olinde (12 each) scored best, could no longer keep up.
