FC Bayern Basketball has the longest journey with almost 800 kilometers, but no one will care on on Saturday night starting at 19:30 when they battle Alba Berlin in the second semifinal of the TOP4 in Oldenburg in front of 6,200 fans for a spot in the German Cup final. The hosts and Ludwigsburg face each other in the first game (16:00).
Support from Club President Hainer
The team of the three-time Cup winner from Munich (1968, 2018, 2021) prepared on Thursday with an intense practice for that duel, to which all German fans will be watching with close attention. The final practice took place on Friday at the Audi Dome, and on Saturday morning Bayern once again tuned up for the showdown with a light shooting session. Club president Herbert Hainer will not miss this one either and he has announced he will be Oldenburg.
In the last practuce before the trip to the Top4, the team prepared intensively for the showdown vs Berlin. (c) FCBB
"The great competition between Berlin and Bayern enters a new round, it's a big, important game," said head coach Andrea Trinchieri. "They are certainly better than us at the moment and are the defending champions. But now a new page is turned and I'm sure my team will try everything to reach the final."
Berlin with best offense and most rebounds
It is already Bayern's 70th duel with Alba. This season the FCBB won 79-77 in Berlin in the EuroLeague while Alba celebrated an 80-79 in the Audi Dome in the BBL first round game at the beginning of January, surviving a last shot attempt by the FCBB (then without Lucic, Walden and Obst, with Harris).
In the overall record, Bayern has won 40 times and Berlin 28. Once they also tied (EuroCup). From Munich's point of view: BBL 30-24, EuroLeague 6-0, EuroCup one win and one draw, and in the German Cup 3-4.
BBL leader Berlin (18-1) has the league's top offense with 91.1 points per game (91.1 ppg, field goal percentage 50.5%/FCBB: 82.5; 44.9%). Another key for the team is averaging 39 rebounds. Munich has to prevent second chance shots at all costs.
As always, Berlin's scoring is evenly distributed, with guard Jaleen Smith (12.9), captain Luke Sikma (10.8) and center Yanni Wetzell (10.1) averaging in double figures.
Public Viewing and ProB-game at the Audi Dome
MagentaSport will show the TOP4 games live and free for all, even without a subscription. (Not only) Bayern fans can join in the excitement at the public viewing in the Audi Dome on Saturday as for the Top4, the FCBB is organizing a supporting program around the semifinal, including limited free beer from partner Paulaner (until around 19:00).
To get in the mood, the ProB home game of the second team against Ehingen (Saturday, 16:00) will also take place in the Audi Dome. Day tickets for the public viewing (5€ are available in the FCBB ticket store) are also valid for this game of the FCBB second squad.
The Audi Dome will open at 15:00 on Saturday and also on Sunday (then from 13:30) in the event that Bayern reaches the Final.
March begins with Red Star and Villeurbanne
Bayern's next home games are the EuroLeague games against Red Star Belgrade (March 2, 19:00/already sold out) and Asvel Villeurbanne (Tues., March 7, 21:00).
TOP4 in Oldenburg
Semi-final, Saturday:
EWE Baskets Oldenburg – MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (16:00)
FCBB – Alba Berlin (19:30)
Final: Sunday at 15:00