The Bayern Basketball players seem to have at last found their playoff form and pnly 48 hours after the successful start to the semi-final series against Rasta Vechta (98-88), the German champions are ready for Game 2 in Vechta. Tip-off in the Rasta Dome, which has long been sold out with 3,140 spectators, will take place on Tuesday evening at 20:30. The third playoff semi-final will take place on Saturday, June 8th at 20:30 back in Munich.
MagentaSport and FC Bayern TV will broadcast the game live exclusively from Vechta Tuesday evening, starting at 20:15. FC Bayern Basketball offers a public viewing: In the foyer of the Audi Dome and Game 2 will be shown in cooperation with MagentaSport. Admission (which is free) starts at 19:30.
The defending champions are prepared for a difficult second duel with the upstart stalwarts of Vechta who dominated Bayern in their one regular season home game. On Sunday, Vechta was allowed to take the lead for a short time at the beginning of the final quarter, before the Bavarians heated up from the field and finished strong for a Game 1 victory.
"This will be a tough series, we know that," said FCBB top scorer Vladimir Lucic (personal best with 24 points) before the team's departure on Monday afternoon. "They play very aggressively, in their hall the level will be much higher again, that's a tough away court," said the Serbian winger. "We have to match their energy again and fight against it with everything possible. We want to win."
Even veteran Alex King, who scored eight points on Sunday evening, recommends a self-confident and concentrated appearance: "We have shown how it can go if we only play our game consistently.
FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic can once again rely on Derrick Williams in Vechta, who was not played in the first game because of his previous muscle problems: The American was in training this morning and travelled with the team. Rasta Vechta will also be back in full health for the first time: Seth Hinrichs (top scorer with 21 points) made his comeback as did Clint Chapman (8) and Robin Christen (12). Young national player Philipp Herkenhoff is also expected to return to the Rasta team tomorrow.