The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich have to accept their first major disappointment as they lost in the German Cup round of sixteen at home against Bonn after a tense final quarter. In front of 3,914 spectators in the Audi Dome, the Bavarians found it difficult to get into the game and were 15 points behind shortly after the break. In the third quarter, however, led by Maodo Lo (19 points), they regained the lead. In the final minute in decisive rebound situations they missed the chance to come away with a victory.
The German Champion will now continue with two difficult tasks: On Thursday (17.10., 20:30 CEST) the undefeated EuroLeague team, Villeurbanne will visit the Audi Dome. In the BBL, the Munich team will have to compete in a top game in Oldenburg on Sunday (20.10., 18:00).
Points per quarter Bayern-Bonn: 22-21,18-32, 24-10, 20-22.
Facts & Figures - Two-point percentage: 61 % (FCBB) / 54 % (Bonn); Three-point percentage: 44 % / 39 %; Rebounds: 31 / 30; Offensive-Rebounds: 13 / 15; Assists: 13 / 21; Turnover: 18 / 15 - Injuries: TJ Bray (foot surgery), Josh Huestis (knee).
FCBB stats: Maodo Lo (19 points/5 threes), Danilo Barthel (15/5 rebounds), Greg Monroe (12), Paul Zipser (11), Nihad Djedovic (9), Petteri Koponen (6), Vladimir Lucic (6), DeMarcus Nelson (4), Leon Radosevic (2), Mathias Lessort, Diego Flaccadori, Alex King.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "Congratulations to Bonn for the victory. The first half was very, very bad and Bonn played very well, which increased their self-confidence. 53 points in the first half is just too much, just like 13 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. The second half went differently, but in the end we allowed three offensive rebounds in the last 30 seconds. It was different against Milan, but in the last games we already had problems here. That's where we need to improve."
Maodo Lo: "This defeat is bitter, it's embarrassing and a team with high ambitions like us can't have it happen. To perform like that, especially in the first half, is very disappointing. We didn't play with enough intensity or passion on defense. Our attitude has to improve, we have to leave everything on the court and we didn't do that in the first half".
Bonn head coach, Thomas Päch: "First I have to take my hat off to my team. I don't know if I've ever been on a more extreme roller coaster ride than in the last 48 hours. Today we tried to present ourselves differently than two days ago. We stayed strong, stayed together and showed a good game. I don't think you could have expected that."
1st quarter
FCBB coach Radonjic had DeMarcus Nelson, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Greg Monroe as the starting five in the first do-or-die game of the season. The Bonners caught the FCBB ice cold and started with a 5-0 run but Greg Monroe powered through for a basket in the second minute. The fans in the Audi Dome were able to enjoy a thrilling Cup fight in the first minutes of the game in which the guests were in the lead at first, but the German champions remained on the Bonners' heels with a score of 11-10 after five minutes of play. Immediately in the next attack after tying things of at 15, Paul Zipser provided a nice bucket for the first Bayern lead at 17-15. At the end of the first quarter the Munich team was 22-21 in front.
2nd quarter
The guests continued to make life difficult for the favourite. Bonn defended brilliantly and found again and again the gaps in the defense of the Bavarians under the basket. The FCBB was behind by to at 30-28 after two minutes into the quarter and it forced a time-out from Munich. Another three-pointer from Barthel kept the Bavarians in the game and DeMarcus Nelson earned a three-point play to equalize at 38-38. But this didn't impress the Bonners at all, they hit everything from the outside and fought with a lot of heart. Radonjic took another time-out as his men were now back by five. But the momentum was now clearly and permanently on the side of the guests, the Bavarians made unfortunate decisions and were confronted at half time with a 50-43 deficit.
3rd quarter
The Bavarians did the only right thing and intensified their defense while on the attack Greg Monroe the focus and scored twice. The fans raved and now the spark seemed to jump over to the home team. Lo sank another trio and forced a time-out by Bonn. Paul Zipser scored two baskets in a row and Bayern was back by just two. The game was now a thrilling exchange of blows with open sights and the Bavarians fought their way passionately. Barthel gobbled up an offensive rebound and took the first lead since the beginning of the second quarter(64-62/30.). After the third quarter, the FCBB had a 64-63 lead.
4th quarter
Leon Radosevic used his mass under the basket skilfully and scored the first goal of the final quarter but the nervousness soon increased as the players from both teams made mistakes. Bonn took the lead again before a three from Djedovic put Bayern back on top. Lo showed up strong with a three to sneak to within two points again at 74-72. Zipser received his fourth and fifth foul in quick succession, plus the bench a technical, which of course swung momentum back towards Bonn. The rebellion of the Munich team followed immediately, two free throws by Lucic and a Djedovic brought them to within one at 77-76 (38th). The Bonners managed a basket by Branden Frazier, but then Lo began to put his stamp on Crunchtime: The point guard scored eight points in a row and brilliantly took a lead at 84-81. Ten seconds before the siren, Martin Breuning was fouled while taking a three but could only complete the first two free throws - the rebound went through several hands and landed back in Breuning's hands, who scored to take a 85-84 lead for the visitors. The Bavarians had the last attempt by Radosevic, but he did not score.
Upcoming games:
Thu, October17th, 20:30: FCBB - Asvel Villeurbanne (3rd gameday EuroLeague)
Sun, October 20th, 18:00: Oldenburg - FCBB (4th gameday BBL)
Thu, October 24th, 20:30: FCBB - Khimki Moscow (4th gameday EuroLeague)
Sun, October 27th, 15:00: Würzburg - FCBB (5th gameday BBL)
Wed, October 30th, 20:30: FCBB - Madrid (5th gameday EuroLeague)
Photo credit: Smoking stone, stickle, Eirich
