Bayern wins exciting game against Olympiakos Piräus

FC Bayern Munich's basketball team won its fourth game in a row in the EuroLeague. After a hard-fought 74-68 win over Greece's top team Olympiakos Piraeus in the Audi Dome, the FCBB is on a roll since their opening game against Milan. In a gripping game of nerves, the team of head coach Andrea Trinchier played well over 40 minutes with a very concentrated defensive performance. The experienced Greeks were only once in the lead (50-49) and could not disturb the hosts in the final quarter. Wade Baldwin was the top scorer with 18 points, Vladimir Lucic (16) was again voted "Player of the Game".

On Sunday and Monday, Bayern will play their further preliminary round matches in the BBL Cup in Weißenfels against the host MBC and Crailsheim.

Points per quarter Bayern - Olmpiakos: 22-18, 17-16, 22-19, 13-15.

Stats - two-point shooting: 51% (FCBB) // 58% (Olympiakos); three-point shooting: 33% // 21%; free-throw shooting: 85% // 81%; rebounds: 33 // 28; assists: 15 // 13; turnovers: 15 // 15.

Quotes:
Munich head coach, Andrea Trinchieri: "This was a game that was decided in the last minutes. For our defense it was the most difficult game so far, because they have two of the best pick-and-roll and screen creators in the whole league. But we were able to play very solidly over 40 minutes. We looked better offensively in the first half than in the second - but we're talking about winning against an excellent team. The only thing I would like to add is that I am incredibly sorry that our fans can't enjoy this team live, a team that fights for every ball. I don't think it was the tactics that tipped the scales today, but the energy and concentration that we showed on defense throughout the game. We increased that in the last 15 minutes. That was the key that we were able to upgrade our commitment on defense. Controlling the rebounds was also part of our game plan, even despite our switching on defense. My team did an excellent job in accomplishing this task. Everyone's commitment was great today and Wade was also very important to us. But equally important was  JJ Johnson who can score, but dedicated the whole game to defense and rebounding. So I'm not highlighting anyone, that's a win for the team."

Nihad Djedovic: "We were concentrated for 40 minutes against a very experienced team and deserved to win. Against such a team you have to be awake and fully present until the last rebound. We have had a good start in the EuroLeague; now we know that we can keep up with the strong opponents and have quality. Now we have to stay healthy and continue with maximum focus."

Vladimir Lucic: "The victory means a lot to us, especially after the bad cup game. We came back against a strong team, this is a great victory and I am very happy about it".

Georgis Bartzokas, head coach Piraeus: "I don't want to go into the numbers and stats, because it is obvious that we only scored 21% of our threes and had more turnovers than assists. 68 points are simply too few to win a game. We didn't cause enough turnovers and Bayern was just willing to fight more, in all positions. That was decisive today and that is why Bayern deserved to win."

Recap:
FCBB Coach Trinchieri's starters Wade Baldwin, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Malcolm Thomas and Leon Radosevic defended strongly and immediately took a 4-0 lead. The FCBB captain Djedovic sunk lay-up after lay-up but the Greeks, who were so brimming with experience, remained within striking distance (10-8/5th minute). Munich played confidently and had five steals after the first quarter of play - 22-18 Bayern.

The FCBB started furiously into the second quarter with a fine alley-op-dunk by Vladimir Lucic for a 29-21 lead. They already scratched at a double-digit lead, but suddenly, lack of concentration crept in and helped the guests to a 7-0 run - time out Trinchieri (33-32/17.) Wade Baldwin tried to prevent Olympiakos from taking the lead with all his might and his jumper managed to keep the lead 35-32 (18.). Leon Radosevic now shaped and stabilized the game at both ends of the court and played a decisive role in the 39-34 lead after the first half.

Coach Trinchieri demanded more cleverness from his team in the half-time interview. At first this did not succeed, Olympiakos came out of the dressing room more committed and tied things up 41-41. Piraeus acted a little more alertly and tied the game several times, but although the Bavarians fought back as best they could, they had to accept the first deficit of the game (50-49/25.). Wade Baldwin was annoyed by this, so he took command and brought his team back to the front and mentally back on track with six points in a row (55-52/27.) The FCBB's crisp and dedicated defense kept the guests at bay and brought a 61-53 lead after the third quarter.

Munich was playing throuhg the post as Baldwin brought the first double-digit lead from the free-throw line for Munich (65-55/32.). Coach Trinchieri was challenged on the sidelines in this difficult phase to direct his team to make fewer mistakes. Nick Weiler-Babb responded with an important steal and a following lay-up for a 70-61 lead. Baldwin now tried too often to score in  one-on-one situations and his shots did not fall. The recent EuroLeague MVP of the week, Vladimir Lucic, was on hand with an extremely important bucket to take a seven-point lead (72-65/38.). Olympiakos shortened the lead to 72-68 and Bayern wobbled a bit. Wade Baldwin showed nerves of steel from the free-throw line and the FCBB brought home their fourth consecutive victory.

Photo Credit: Rauchensteiner, Pahnke