The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich have won the first do-or-die game in the BBL Cup against the Giessen 46ers thanks to an outstanding performance in the first half. In front of 3,890 spectators in the Audi Dome, the Bavarians presented themselves extremely focused, especially in the first 20 minutes before the break and could afford to shift down a gear later. All Munich players were given the time to play, captain Danilo Barthel was the top scorer with 17 points. The quarter finals will be drawn next Friday (12.10) and played on 22/23 December.
Points per quarter Bayern-Giessen: 28:17, 32:16, 22:27, 24:32.
FCBB Stats: Danilo Barthel (17 points/3 threes), Vladimir Lucic (16/6 rebounds), Nemanja Dangubic (13), Braydon Hobbs (12), Petteri Koponen (11), Maodo Lo (10), Devin Booker (9/9 Reb), Leon Radosevic (8), Stefan Jovic (8/6 Reb), Marvin Ogunsipe (2), Alex King and Robin Amaize.
Quotes:
Dejan Radonjic, head coach of the FCBB: "I am glad that we won, because it is a cup competition in which there is no second chance. We played a good first half; in the second half we didn't play defense the way I expected. Gießen has excellent shooters and a strong offense. We have to keep working hard now. I hope that all players can train so that we can play over longer periods like we did today in the first half. Nihad Djedovic is better, he will train individually on Monday; I think he can play on Thursday but Derrick Williams still needs time, we have to watch him."
Ingo Freyer, head coach Gießen: "Congratulations to the coach and FC Bayern Basketball. Unfortunately, we were too awe struck in the first half. You come here to Munich, into a big hall, your opponent plays EuroLeague and all my players know that. But we can also play like in the second half, with a lot of self-confidence and with our game. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that in the first half, which is why we were so far behind. So it's all the more pleasing that we then showed ourselves above all that we can do it. And it's not the case that Munich has shifted down a gear. We had the most difficult draw in the whole league."
1st quarter:
The cup defending champions started the game with Stefan Jovic, Vladimir Lucic, Petteri Koponen, Danilo Barthel and Devin Booker. After a quick score by the Gießeners, the Bavarians started like the fire brigade: From a crisp defense they played quickly and cleverly to the attack and this resulted in a 10-0 run. Afterwards, not everything worked out for the red team and the visitors came close before the home side turned up again and for the first time they led by double-digits 23-12 The Bavarians presented themselves to the joy of the fans, focused and determined and led after ten minutes 28-17.
2nd quarter:
The Bavarians had a great start to the second quarter: Leon Radosevic used Vladimir Lucic's missed shot to crack home a dunk and help make the game more memorable. The Finnish national player Petteri Koponen demonstrated his extraordinary versatility and accuracy with six points in a row to take a 36-19 lead. With this already comfortable advantage in the bag, the Munich team acted patiently and concentrated. A successful three-pointer from captain Danilo Barthel brought the lead to over 20 points 44-22 and in view of the conditions, the game became a little calmer. Munich had the 46ers under control at all times and led at half time very clearly witha score of 60-33.
3rd quarter:
The double-winner kept the Gießeners in check over long stretches of the third quarter and the lead around 30 points. But the team of guest coach Ingo Freyer, which was thinking about the fast-break, did not give up, and brought the game to within 22.
4th quarter:
With a Braydon Hobbs threesome and five points in a row by Leon Radosevic, the Munich team started resolutely into the last quarter and maintained their clear lead . Vladimir Lucic was fouled while shooting a three and hit all three free throws with nerves of steel. In his next shot from beyond the three-point line, the Gießeners let him go, and the forward scored to bring the score to 98-77 with four minutes to play. During the last minutes, however, luck left the Munichers and the now 46ers who couldn't miss a shot, got the opportunity to correct the result. A 9-0 run of the Hessens did not change anything in the end and and Munich eventually cruised to a victory.
The cup round of the last sixteen:
Frankfurt - Ulm 78-74
Göttingen - Ludwigsburg 72-67
Bremerhaven - Bonn 69-89
Bamberg - Würzburg 92-74
FCBB - Giessen 106-92
Berlin - Bayreuth 88-68
Oldenburg - Jena 91-94
Brunswick - Weissenfels 83-75