The basketball team of FC Bayern Munich won the top BBL game against Alba Berlin with a final score of 83-81 in a game that was exciting from start to finish. This not only extends their lead in the standings, but also their record of eleven wins in a row. In the sold-out Audi Dome, 6,500 spectators experienced a thrilling and high-class game in which the Bavarians led for a long time and were only able to knock down their tough opponents from the capital city in the last seconds. An outstanding Derrick Williams with 26 points was again the top scorer for Munich who was sensational and missed only three shots out of 18 attempts.
After the EuroLeague away game in Milan (Wednesday, December 19, 20:45), the Audi Dome will host four home games in a row: Madrid (EuroLeague), Berlin (BBL Cup), Würzburg (BBL) and Podgorica (EuroLeague).
Points per quarter Bayern - Berlin: 23-19, 22-24, 24-14, 14-24.
FCBB Stats: Derrick Williams (26 points), Petteri Koponen (14/3 threes), Maodo Lo (12), Nihad Djedovic (11), Leon Radosevic (9), Danilo Barthel ((6), Vladimir Lucic (3), Stefan Jovic (2), Nemanja Dangubic, Marvin Ogunsipe, Robin Amaize (dnp) and Braydon Hobbs (dnp).
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "First of all we are happy about the victory - that is the most important thing for me after the win against Kaunas on Friday. It was a game today with a lot of ups and downs, as was to be expected. We allowed far too many points after offensive rebounds and that made it hard to win. But again: The most important thing is the victory. Many thanks to our fans for the great support, that was very important for us today".
Alba head coach, Aíto García Renesses: "Congratulations to Bayern, they played well. We have to play well for longer periods. The teams that play in the EuroCup have two games a week, but for the teams that play in the EuroLeague it's even harder: they play three, four games a week. It's a difficult situation because it's difficult to train these weeks."
Petteri Koponen: "After the victory on Friday it wasn't easy. We have to prepare 100 percent for every game. The whole team fought and we won, that's what we wanted. Of course it's difficult with all these games, but that's our job and we're professionals. On Wednesday in Milan, on Friday Real, it's game after game. It's hard, but it's also the reason why we have twelve good players. Everyone can help the team when they come on the court and that's how it was today."
1st quarter
Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Marvin Ogunsipe formed the starting line-up for the Bavarians, who had only two days rest after the EuroLeague victory against Zalgiris Kaunas. FCBB captain Danilo Barthel took Bayern's first lead ( and after a great defensive play by Nihad Djedovic, Maodo Lo drilled a three-pointer to take a 9-4 lead. The Munich team had obviously successfully shaken the tiredness out of their limbs and kept the Berlin in check on offense. But when the offense of the current champion faltered a bit, the runner-up immediately took advantage and evened things up at 19 a piece. A time-out helped the composure for the home team and they finished off the quarter with a lead at 23:19.
2nd quarter
The Bayern defense worked excellently and prevented any easy runs to the basket. Frontcourt playmaker Stefan Jovic assisted his team-mate Leon Radosevic with a great pass to take a six-point lead and earn a time-out from Berlin. Alba answered with two threes and equalized at 25-25 and FCBB coach Dejan Radonjic recognized the appropriate moment for a time-out. Maodo Lo came back and immediately poured in a three followed by a nice layup by Nihad Djedovic. Munich was shooting a very nice 60% from deep and the next two attempts from Maodo Lo and Derrick Williams did not miss either as Bayern stretched their lead to seven with a score of 36-29 with five minutes to play in the half. Derrick Williams continued to play as he did against Kaunas, secured an offensive rebound and slammed the ball home to the delight of the crowd. The Berliners were particularly hard on the Munich team's defensive rebounders and repeatedly snatched the balls from under their noses. They used the second chances for a 5-0 run and caused coach Radonjic to take another time-out. The momentum gradually turned in favour of the Berliners, but Petteri Koponen countered with two three-pointers and the home team headed to the locker room with a slim lead at 45:43.
3rd quarter
Both teams started the second half nervously and lost straight turnovers. Derrick Williams scored a nice bucket but Berlin's Luke Sikma hit a three and the Berlin finally took the lead with a score of 48-47. Bayern remained calm and turned the tables around again primarily thanks toDerrick Williams, who made his mark on the game again and with eleven points in the second quarter alone and helped take a 58:50 lead. Nihad Djedovic was doubled, but shook off his opponents with ease and took the first double-digit lead for the Bavarians. The FCBB now went confidently to work and kept a double-digit lead heading into the final quarter.
4th quarter
Of course, the Berliners did not give in and opened the last quarter with four quick points, but Petteri Koponen was once again there with a huge three and retained the 10-point lead. The fans started to get nervous when Berlin hit two straight three-pointers and were now only down by four with seven minutes to play. Once again Petteri Koponen came up big with a three and it helped to stabilize the home club. A little later Vladimir Lucic did the same and his three-point shot took the lead back to nine with a score of 79-70 and five minutes remaining in the game. Derrick Williams played sensationally on defense and offensive and another bucket from deep took the score to 82-73. But suddenly, to the horror of the fans, the Munich team stumbled offensively and allowed the Berliners to go on a 9-0 run - time-out Munich with a one-point lead at 82-81 and 28 seconds on the clock. The Bavarians were nervous when Petteri Koponen scored only one of two free-throws just six seconds before the end. Niels Giffey still had a chance to win with a shot from just past half-court but his desperate heave missed and the Bayern win streak in the BBL remains intact at 11 in a row.
Upcoming games:
Wed., 19.12., 20:45: Armani Milan - FCBB (EuroLeague)
Fri, 21.12., 20:00: FCBB - Real Madrid (EuroLeague)
Sun, 23.12., 18:00: FCBB - Alba Berlin (BBL Cup)
Wed., 26.12.,18;00: FCBB - Würzburg (BBL)
Fri, 28.12., 20:30: FCBB - Buducnost Podgorica (EuroLeague)
Sun, 30.12., 20:30: Bamberg - FCBB (BBL)
(Photo-Credit: Stickel & Rauchensteiner)
