Bayern loses big lead

The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich lost unfortunately on the 22nd gameday of the EuroLeague with a final score of 79-78 on the road against Olimpia Milan. After 25 minutes of very good play, the German champions were ahead by 20 points (60-40) before finally losing the thread in the last quarter and falling behind in the final minute to eventually suffer a painful defeat at the free-throw line.

Bayern isstuck with seven wins and have to get up quickly: On Sunday afternoon (2.2, 15:00) the Munich team will welcome the Wuerzburgers to a Bavarian-Franconian BBL rivalry game. In the EuroLeague, the FCBB has the next chance of winning next Tuesday (4.2, 20:45) at Asvel Villeurbanne.

Points per quarter Bayern - Milan: 26-21, 19-17, 21-15, 12-26.

Facts & Figures - Two-point shooting: 58.8% (FCBB) // 57.1% (Milan); Three-point shooting: 31.8% // 37.9%; Rebounds: 28 // 23; Assists: 19 // 21; Turnovers: 13 // 11 - Injured: Vladimir Lucic (foot, knee) and Leon Radosevic.

Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Oliver Kostic: "Milan got the win in the last moments, but basketball is played over 40 minutes and with many small details; these details decided the victory today. We gave away six free throws in the last quarter, that hurts especially on the road. And we also helped the opponent with turnovers and the chance to win the game. But I am proud of my team, the way we played for a long time today. We have to learn from this defeat for the future. Then the victory we missed today will come to us."

Danilo Barthel: "This is a hard loss. We played very well for a long time, but then stopped playing basketball in the third quarter. We controlled the game, but in the EuroLeague five bad minutes are enough for you to lose a game like that.

Greg Monroe: "This is a tough loss. We had the right game plan, but our mistakes brought Milan and the audience back into the game."   

1st quarter
The FCBB started with Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Paul Zipser, Danilo Barthel and Greg Monroe. Bayern started the game well and kept pace with the favored hosts and Barthel especially got off to a good start. The first five Bayern points came from the captain, with a successful and-one he put the Munich team in the lead for the first time (5-3/3. minute). The guests gave up the lead for the last time in the next attack by the Milanese after a successful triple from Milan star, Sergio Rodriguez. Djedovic, Zipser hit from outside and again Barthel provided a five-point lead and a 7-0 run. The Germans kept their concentration high and with the strong transition defense desired by coach Oliver Kostic, the Italians lost their offensive rhythm. After a convincing ten minutes Bayern deservedly held the lead with a score of 26-21. Only four Milan offensive boards prevented an even clearer lead.

2nd quarter
In the second section Bayern was able to extend their lead with Alex King's second and third triples of the evening. Captain Barthel also continued his best performance of the season so far. In the middle of the second quarter he was the first player to have scored double digits as Bayern was up 36-27. The captain and Djedovic brought the FCBB lead into double-digits for the first time and before the break the guests gave up a 6-2 run that cost them the double-digit lead before the change of sides - but they still held a strong 45-38 at half-time. 

3rd quarter
Unimpressed by the good run of the Milanese before the break, Bayern again showed themselves highly concentrated and self-confident after the change of sides. Led by Monroe, who not only scored himself but also handed out assists, the guests started a 15-2 run between the 21st and 25th minute of play and thus drew ahead by 20 points, 60-40. After the Milanese team's time-out, the German champion lost their rhythm a bit and gave up a 12-3 run. The last points before the final quarter were well earned by Barthel and they put the guests up 66-53 before the final period.

4th quarter
With the support of the crowd, the hosts fought on minute by minute and the  FCBB could hardly find a way to slow down the exuberant Italians. Djedovic took responsibility in this difficult phase and was solely responsible for the first six points in the final quarter but it was not enough to keep his team in the lead. Several turnovers were lost and with a spectacular alley-oop-dunk after Fastbreak by Rodriguez and Kaleb Tarczewski, the hosts regained the lead 30 seconds before the end. Seconds later, Zipser had the opportunity to turn the result around at the free-throw line again, but missed an attempt: 76-76. Bayern and Djedovic decided to foul immediately and sent Nedovic to the line, who safely converted both free throws, 79-76. Then Zipser came back to the line and scored twice with nine seconds left (78-78/40.). With six seconds left, Djedovic gave up an unplanned fould and Nedovic hit the first free throw, the second bounced off but the Milanese attacked the decisive rebound and Bayern suffered a brutal defeat. 

Photo credit: Cottini/Euroleague