FC Bayern basketball players have already reached the Finals of the BBL three times: After their premiere title in 2014, the runners-up championship followed in the following year and the second title since returning to the highest German League in 2018. For their fourth participation in the play-off Finals, however, the defending champion now need one more win over Rasta Vechta. The third semi-final will take place on Saturday, June 8th at 20:30 in the Audi Dome.
The upstart team from Vechta who came out of nowhere to reach the Semi-finals this season and top scorers Austin Hollins and T.J. Bray will undoubtedly put up a strong fight with their backs agains the wall. Bayern knows from their history that a 2-0 can be deceptive: In 2014 they lost the second home semi-final against Oldenburg, conceded the 2-2 road game and then had to play a game five - which they won.
"Vechta will fight to the last second"
"We have to keep the focus on the things we did very well in the last game," FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic warned before the second home game on Saturday. The Macedonian especially liked his team's defense, as they forced a total of 24 turnovers from the hosts in Game 2 in Vechta. "It was our fifth playoff game and certainly the best so far.
His men know that his opponent won't let up, especially since they are finally back to full strength. "They are the surprise team and will also try to surprise us once again now," emphasized Maodo Lo. We have gotten used to Rasta's way of playing, how they press on defense. But they're a fighting team, they fight hard. And they'll fight to the last second on Saturday too."
Coach Radonjic has all players on board according to the current situation, also Derrick Williams, in his own words, is "almost at 100 percent". The Power Forward returned to the stage in Vechta and, together with Lucic, Radosevic & Co., played his part in the brilliant 20-0 run around the last quarter break, especially on defense. "This is exactly what it is all about in a team that wants to win the championship," said the American.
Regardless of the outcome of both semi-final series - in the second round, runners-up Alba Berlin also leads 2:0 against Oldenburg - the final dates are already fixed. Should the Bavarians make it into the final, they would have a week break until the first final. In the event of a home defeat, the second match point would be in Vechta on Tuesday evening.
The play-off semi-final against Vechta (2-0):
- Game 3: Saturday, June 8th 20:30 (Audi Dome)
- Game 4: Tuesday, June 11th 20:30
- Game 5: Thursday, June 13th 19:00 (Audi Dome)
*if necessary
The finale series of the easyCredit BBL (best-of-five)
- Final 1: Sunday, June 16th 18:00
- Final 2: Wednesday, June 19th 20:30
- Final 3: Sunday, June 23rd 18:00
- Final 4 (if necessary): Tue, June 25th 20:30
- Final 5 (if necessary): Fri, June 28th 20:30