FC Bayern Munich's basketball players won their game one of the Quarterfinals against the Lions of Braunschweig by a final score of 70-59 and thus take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. In front of 5,472 spectators, the defending champions began the game very focused but then got a little out of rhythm on offense as the game rolled on. The Munich team still managed to maintain a lead against Braunschweig and the victory was never in danger. Derrick Williams was the top scorer for the Bavarians with 12 points.
The second game of the series will take place on Friday, May 24th, in Braunschweig (20:30). The third meeting follows two days later - on Sunday, May 26th, in the Audi Dome (18:00).
To the ticket shop
Points per quarter Bayern - Braunschweig: 20-12, 12-7, 22-19, 16-21.
FCBB stats: Derrick Williams (12 points), Danilo Barthel (9), Petteri Koponen (9), Maodo Löwen (8), Nihad Djedovic (8), Nemanja Dangubic (7), Vladimir Lucic (6), Alex King (4), Devin Booker (3), Stefan Jovic (2), Marvin Ogunsipe (2) and Leon Radosevic.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "Our start was very, very good. I was especially satisfied with the defense in the first 20 minutes. But we also had twelve turnovers which shouldn't happen to us. We lost our focus in the last few minutes and still managed to control the game, which I'm very happy with. We got a total of 41 rebounds, that's our best amount this season. We now hope to improve even more on Friday".
Braunschweig head coach, Frank Menz: "It was a big game for us today. Each of our players and our fans likes to watch the games of the Bavarians and we try to emulate them. For 40 minutes, we put everything we could into it, even though our lack of experience was noticeable. We had a lot of respect and nevertheless held the chance to make it even closer because the Bavarians didn't hit their shots. When we play against the big teams, we want our opponents to always have a tough time. I don't think it was such a good game for the Bavarians. Now we're looking forward to the home game since at home we haven't often lost over the last few months and we were also able to beat Berlin."
1st quarter
FCBB coach Radonjic started with Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Leon Radosevic. FCBB captain Danilo Barthel took the ballstrongly to the basket to take the first lead of the game for the home team. The Munich team started brilliantly in the first quarter and overran the visitors with a 12-0 run forcing a time-out from Braunschweig. DeAndre Lansdowne helped things out for the visitors with two two three-pointers to keep Braunschweig in the game. After the first quarter Bayern was 20-12 in front.
2nd quarter
Petteri Koponen scored the first bucket of the second quarter with a jump-shot to take the first double-digit lead. The Bavarians had problems with the fastbreaks of the visitors and the defending champs had seven turnovers in the first half. The Lions stalked their way up to 22-15, but then the Bayern again turned up the heat a bit with an 8-2 run. To the relief of the fans the Lions weren't hitting their shots either and though it hadn't been a pretty first half, the FCBB led 32-19.
3rd quarter
The start of the second half was promising, as Williams powered home a spectacular Alley-Oop-Dunk but the Bayern defense allowed the guests an 8-0 run which followed with a time-out from theFCBB. Nemanja Dangubic finished his four-point play at just the right moment to stem the tide of the Braunschweig run. The hosts finally got into their rhythm and took off to a 15-point lead. Stefan Jovic directed calmly and prudently and helped his team to a good starting position before the final quarter, 54-38.
4th quarter
Due to turnovers Bayern wasn't able to put the game away but even still, they never were in true danger of losing th lead. The Bavarians did not shine, but they worked solidly, defended with commitment and did not let the lions come within reach. The guests, however, did manage to come within ten points with a quick 10-0 run - time-out FCBB. The end was even uglier than the rest of the game as Bayern struggled mightily on offense but their defense remained strong and clinched game 1 of the Quarterfinals playoffs.
Photocredit: Rauchensteiner, Stickel & Eirich