After a basketball bangFC Bayern celebrates its first win under coaching legend Pesic
A few days ago, FC Bayern’s basketball players caused a sensation: world champion coach Gordon Herbert had to leave, coaching legend Svetislav Pesic took over. Now the returnee is celebrating his first league win since 2016.
Basketball champions Bayern Munich have achieved their first victory under Svetislav Pesic. On the 12th matchday of the Bundesliga, the league leaders won against Skyliners Frankfurt 97:69 (48:31), it was Pesic’s first game on the sidelines in the BBL since May 2016 – he was also coach of FC Bayern back then.
In Munich’s 31st game of the season, US guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (19 points) was the top scorer for the guests, who celebrated their tenth win in the eleventh BBL game. FC Bayern had to do without long-time NBA player Spencer Dinwiddie in Frankfurt, who, according to the club, traveled to his native USA because of “a very serious illness in his family”.
Surprising separation
It is “always a challenge” to take over a team, regardless of the time, said Pesic on the Dyn microphone before the game: “We only think about what we can improve at this moment.” Pesic was surprisingly installed on Monday as the successor to the dismissed Gordon Herbert. The Serbian coaching legend, coach of the German European champion team in 1993, signed a contract until the end of the season.
The Canadian Herbert, who sensationally led the German selection to the World Cup title in 2023, had not least stumbled over a series of defeats in the EuroLeague. Pesic also suffered a defeat in his comeback on Tuesday evening in the European premier class (72:82 against league leaders Hapoel Tel Aviv).
For Pesic and Bayern things are now moving on in quick succession, on Sunday (6 p.m.) the Munich team awaits the VET-Concept Gladiators Trier, and on New Year’s Eve they also face the Rostock Seawolves in the BBL (2 p.m./dyn each).
Newly promoted Trier, second in the table before the match day, conceded 83:102 (44:58) to Bayern’s new number one pursuer, the Würzburg Baskets, on Boxing Day. The former series champion Alba Berlin won against the Seawolves 80:66 (42:24) and is now fourth in the table. The Syntainics MBC lost the East duel against the Niners Chemnitz 90:94 (46:50).
