The basketball team of FC Bayern Munich lost the EuroLeague's second half opener at Anadolu Efes Istanbul by a final score of 92-77. In front of 5,056 spectators in the Sinan Erdem Dome, a weak defensive first half prevented any possibility of a comeback in the fourth quarter. Efes scored with an incredible confidence (21 of 28 until the break). Bayern - in addition to the long-term injured Milan Macvan and Devin Booker - were missing Stefan Jovic (flu-like infection). Though the final quarter was competitive, Bayern couldn't complete the comeback and are now 0-2 against Efes this season. Vladimir Lucic was the top scorer with 14 points as his team now has an 8-8 record in the EuroLeague.
Already on Sunday, January 6th, the FCBB will continue in the BBL when Bayreuth visits the Audi Dome at 15:00.
Points per quarter Bayern-Efes: 18-27, 18-28, 18-15, 23-22.
FCBB Stats: Vladimir Lucic (14 points/7 rebounds/4 assists), Nihad Djedovic (13), Derrick Williams (9/6 rebounds), Petteri Koponen (8), Leon Radosevic (8), Nemanja Dangubic (7), Maodo Lo (7), Danilo Barthel (6), Braydon Hobbs (3/5 assists), Alex King (2), Marvin Ogunsipe, Robin Amaize.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "Congratulations to Efes on this victory. They played a very strong first half, not only offensively but their shooting was exceptional. After the break we defensively played quite differently but ultimately it was not good enough for a tight game at the end. We already had a chance to get close at the end of the third quarter, but being behind 14 points was too much against a team like Efes. We still had some open shots later but they didn't fall."
Vladimir Lucic: "We played a weak first half, then reacted well after the break. But in the end it wasn't enough. We made some bad decisions on offense, but Moerman made two difficult shots and that was it. Now it's time to check off the game and come back strong in the Bundesliga on Sunday."
1st quarter
The Bavarians started their first game of 2019 with Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Barthel and Leon Radosevic. Center Radosevic provided the first points of the year after two minutes, but the Bavarian Captain, Barthel was in early foul trouble and the team was quickly down 6-2 on the road. The duo of Micic/Dunston caused serious problems for Bayern who owned the game from deep (3/4 three) and the home team streaked to a 23-16 lead. As in the first matchup, the Turks had an almost perfect game in the first quarter, while the German squad couldn't yet match the offensive power of the home team.
2nd quarter
The picture remained the same: While Anadolu scored effortlessly on offense, Bayern had to fight for every bucket which caused a growing deficit - time-out Radonjic. The result was a further offensive game, in which Efes created open shots by good ball movement (15 assists in the first half) and 21 of 28 from the field. Score at the break, Efes 55 - Bayern 36.
3rd quarter
The FCBB started defensively much more concentrated than before the break, after three and a half minutes Efes had only scored two points. With a few stops on defense Munich shortened the gap by some successful fast-breaks which forced Istanbul to take a time-out, 57-46. Two straight turnovers as well as three shots prevented the visitors from getting close enough for a comeback.
4th quarter
Nemanja Dangubic, who missed two open distance shots in the third quarter, opened the final quarter with a four-point play and nurtured the hope to come within striking distance again with a score of 70-58. The FCBB, in spite of a good second half, did not manage to get within striking distance. Only when Nihad Djedovic and Vladimir Lucic sunk two threes in a row did Munich actually sniff a different outcome with a score of 77-68 and four minutes to play. Hope was short-lived and the poor first half was too much to overcome and Bayner couldn't get closer than seven points.
Upcoming games:
Sun, January 6th, 15:00: FCBB - Bayreuth (easyCredit BBL, 14th matchday)
Wed, 9 January, 20:00.: Panathinaikos Athens - FCBB (EuroLeague, 17th matchday)
