The successful weekend with the road win in Berlin (76-71) is over and as a reward there will be three games in six days. The Bayern Basketball team is facing the next double week in the EuroLeague with a home game this Tuesday evening against the French champions Asvel Lyon-Villeurbanne followed by a tough game at the Greek runner-up and title contender Olympiakos Piraeus (Thu., 20:00). On Sunday, head coach Andrea Trinchieri's team will take on last-place BBL team, Bayreuth with tip-off at 15:00.
After Thursday's home win over Red Star Belgrade (87-80), the Munich team (10-16) could improve further in the standings with their eleventh win of the season. The game starts at 21:00 next Tuesday.
De Colo leads Tony Parker's team
The French champions have eight wins in 26 games this season. On a good day, however, the visitors are capable of beating any team in the top flight, as evidenced by their remarkable victories over Olympiakos (77-75), away at FC Barcelona (75-74), and at the end of January against Fenerbahce Istanbul (91-77). They also played Real Madrid tight last week and lost 75-71 until the middle of the final quarter.
"We have had a good week, but the next one will be a huge challenge again"; Trinchieri said on Monday. "As always, we go from game to game and in Asvel's case their ranking doesn't really tell the truth about them. Villeurbanne has a lot of athleticism and an outstanding guard in the EuroLeague in De Colo. We have to be clear: If we don't play at our highest level, we can't win, no chance."
Go-to-guy for the French team is undoubtedly Nando de Colo (right). (c) Lestage
Much of owner Tony Parker's team hinges on veteran Nando De Colo (13.9 ppg), 35, who is averaging 15.5 points and 3.6 assists in his tenth EuroLeague season. Second offensive option is U.S. forward Jonah Mathews (10.3 ppg), while French seven-footer Youssoupha Fall (9.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg) is literally the biggest challenge on the boards, especially in the absence of Augustine Rubit and Elias Harris.
Lucic has to sit
The use of FCBB captain Vladimir Lucic, who feels the physical maximum load after almost three months of injury break and first appearances at the TOP4 and most recently against Red Star, is questionable for the game due to back problems.
In the domestic Pro A, Villeurbanne around coach TJ Parker is sixth in the standings with a 12-9 record, still clearly behind the new Monaco (17-4), who will be guests at the Audi Dome at the end of March (31.3. 19:00). On Sunday, they wrestled down playoff contender Strasbourg 78-72 (49-42), with former BBL guard Retin Obasohan (16 points). Coach Parker, who is ailing, was replaced by assistant Morgan Belnou for the second time in a row.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright, an American, named BBL MVP in the preseason was unable to establish himself in Europe's top division after transferring from Bonn. Since mid-January, he has been part of the Besiktas Istanbul team in Turkey.
Colorful diversity game day, selfies with Cup trophy
The gameday at the Audi Dome will be a special one. Gameday presenter Audi has given the evening the motto "We live diversity," setting an impressive example for diversity. In addition to striking visual statements and activities with interesting guests, the spectacular break dancer "Stix" and his crew will perform during halftime.
Another highlight also awaits at the courtside area - the silver BBL trophy that Bayern won two weeks ago at the TOP4 in Oldenburg. After restful overnight stays of the trophy with Obst and several polishing sessions, all Bayern fans can take selfies and examine the prize up close on Tuesday evening.