One game lost, but not the belief in the process: After the 76:87 (30:35) defeat to the new table leader Fenerbahce Istanbul, the coaching staff of FC Bayern Basketball analyzed the game during the return trip; the essence of the analysis will be presented by head coach Gordon Herbert at the next meeting on Thursday morning. It is likely to focus on defense and, of course, on the next opponent: In the evening (8:30 PM / MagentaSport), the German champions will host this year's final opponent, Alba Berlin, for the German derby on the 10th EuroLeague game day.
Sunday at the BMW Park against Bonn
The Bayern team has won all four of their games so far at the new SAP Garden, each in front of a sold-out crowd, and only a few tickets remain for Thursday. In the league, they will host Telekom Baskets Bonn in a top clash of first against fifth on Sunday at BMW Park (3:00 PM).
With a 6-3 record, the Munich team is still doing well in the top competition. Berlin (2-7) is currently dealing with numerous injuries but recently showed competitiveness and ambition in the league, defeating Ulm (96:88) and also in an overtime battle against Olimpia Milan (105:103) on Tuesday.
"Team Basketball Again"
"It’s the German derby, which is always special," says Gordie Herbert. "Berlin is not at full strength and going through a very tough phase, but they have shown great character in the last few games and proven that they can win. We will need to step up again, especially on defense."
In their hard-fought win against Milan, Alba operated with a seven-man rotation plus three young talents. The main contributors on offense were US center Trevion Williams (23 points, 11 rebounds / 13.1 PpS, 7.8 RpS), the Italian guards Gabriele Procida (29) and Matteo Spagnolo (20), as well as national player Jonas Mattissek (21).
"We know that Alba never gives up; that was already the case in the BBL finals. So, in the second part of this double week, we need 40 minutes of energy, focus, and our team basketball again," says captain Andi Obst, whose team is still without Vladimir Lucic and Niels Giffey.
Onuralp Bitim travels to Munich
In addition to the insights from the Fenerbahce game, Bayern also brought a new team member from the Bosphorus: Visa matters for Onuralp Bitim were resolved at the beginning of the week, allowing the Turkish national player to join the Bayern team on the return trip on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old forward met his new team for the first time in Istanbul and was involved in the game preparation as well as in the arena. He will now undergo the mandatory medical tests on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday and will start training at the BMW Park.
The all-time record before the 80th German classic: 48 wins for FCBB, 30 wins for Berlin; one match ended in a draw (EuroCup first leg). The records by competition from Munich’s perspective: BBL 35:26, EuroLeague 8:1, EuroCup one win and one draw, and in the Cup 4:4.
Schedule
- Thursday, November 14, 8:30 PM: 10th EuroLeague Game Day, FCBB – Alba Berlin (SAP Garden)
- Sunday, November 17, 3:00 PM: 8th easyCredit BBL Game Day, FCBB – Telekom Baskets Bonn (BMW Park)
- Friday, November 22, 8:30 PM: 11th EuroLeague Game Day, FCBB – FC Barcelona (SAP Garden)
- Friday, November 29, 8:00 PM: 12th EuroLeague Game Day, Crvena Zvezda Belgrade – FCBB
- Sunday, December 1, 6:00 PM: 9th BBL Game Day, FCBB – Rasta Vechta (BMW Park)