Real Madrid tops FCBB 80-76 in a thriller in front of 5,000 fans

Real Madrid's star ensemble interrupted the Bayern Basketball team's winning streak in the EuroLeague: After three wins in a row, head coach Andrea Trinchieri's team (3-5) lost to Spain's deep-seated record champions in front of 5,000 fans in a gripping thriller 80-76.

In just 40 hours (Sunday, 18:00), Bayern will welcome Oldenburg to the Audi Dome for a BBL top game.

The ten-time winner of the top competition consistently used its physical advantages on both ends before the break (39-27/19.). The Munich offense found its rhythm more and more after halftime - and took a 62-60 lead (32). Two minutes before the end, the score was still 76-72, when the favorites made a few less mistakes in the hot final sequence.

The top scorers for the Cup winners, who are still without Radosevic, Sisko and Zipser, were Rubit (20), Hilliard (16), Thomas (11), Walden and center Hunter (10 each), who left the game early with an injury.

Points per quarter Bayern - Real: 13-13, 19-30, 26-17, 18-20

Stats - Two-point shooting: 47 % (FCBB) // 55 % (Madrid); Three-point shooting: 38 % // 34 %; Free-throw shooting: 81 % // 89 %; Rebounds: 30 // 37; Assists: 13 // 19; Turnovers:  9 // 11

Quotes:

Andrea Trinchieri: "Congratulations to Real, they won a tough game. I think we played a very good second half. Some plays didn't work, but we fought well. Othello Hunter's injury was significant for us because he played very well. He got hit in the head on a very hard foul. He was dizzy, so he couldn't play anymore. (...) We had two different games: In the first half we were really bad, conceded 30 points in the second quarter. But we pulled ourselves together and showed a great game in the second half. We were able to change a lot of things, the energy, rebounding, were better in small and big things. We made a great run, but in the end we were just one possession short. We missed a shot under the basket and they got the ball inside where it was a foul for two free throws. But we fought and played very well after the break. (...) If Hunter could have played in the second half, I think we would have had more energy. (...) Würzburg was a terrible evening, but you have to see it in isolation. It was the fifth game in ten days, three in a row away from home. This game is related to the schedule, especially since we had a Double Week before that. It was an accident, but there was a reason and today we played the second half against Real as we should."

Deshaun Thomas: "We fought hard, especially in the second half. We were already down by thirteen points in the first half, but got back into the game and even led by four. From then on, it was all about executing correctly, especially with the rebounds. We executed our gameplan perfectly, we wanted to give Real foul trouble and in the end it just wasn't enough. Real has a great squad, but we played really well overall. In the end, little things in the execution of our final plays were key."

Game Recap:

Corey Walden, Andreas Obst, Vladimir Lucic, Deshaun Thomas and Augustine Rubit were FCBB head coach Andrea Trinchieri's starting lineup against the Royals. Already in the first couple of possessions, the physical superiority of the guests was obvious: Madrid's giant Walter Tavares was absolutely dominant, rebounding and scoring at will. The Madrilenians' defense also played stoutly and did not let Bayern find its rhythm. The hosts remained without a basket for minutes and Real broke away with an 8-0 run (11-4/7). Suddenly, Rubit stepped in and tied the game at 11-11 (8th) with seven straight points. After ten tough minutes, the score was even - 13-13.

Rubit put his stamp on the game with another four points (17-13/11). The FCBB worked their way into the game, which was now picking up offensive momentum, and even Othello Hunter scored from beyond the three-point line in his 224th EuroLeague appearance (22-22/13). The EuroLeague game of the week became much more attractive, with the lead changing with every possession (25-24/15).

Trinchieri had to call a timeout, however, because the guests had built a clearer lead through their tight defense (29-25/17). Bayern stumbled and failed time after time to put in points and Real was up by double digits by halftime - 43-32.

Munich came out of the locker room much more committed and well adjusted and a brisk 9-2 run brought the Trinchieri squad to within 45-41 (23). Madrid no longer defended so intensely, but put up a stand offensivley via their bench which is peppered with quality (52-44/25.). A great three-point play by Hunter led not only to a three-point deficit 52-49, but also to the third foul for Tavares (26). FCBB stayed on the heels of the favorites and equalized through Rubit at 53-53 (28). The change of the lead was not to succeed, however, as the Spaniards punished small mistakes of the Munich team immediately (58-53/29). Bayern responded to the taste of the home fan and: the rebounding and points from Hilliard and Rubit reduced the deficit to 60-58 at the end of the third quarter.

The Munich team was now pressing and Rubit hit from the free throw line to take Bayern's first lead since the third minute of the game (62-60/32). The Madrilenians played with their biggest lineup, which promptly slowed down the offense of the hosts - time-out FCBB (66-62 Real/34.). Annoying turnovers were made up for by the strong will of the FCBB who stayed in the game with a defensive boost, and suddenly the offense was purring again. Deshaun Thomas sank five points for a 68-66 lead (35). Tavares suffered his 4th foul, immediately followed by a technical foul and had to sit - 71-69 (37). Bayern was now playing in full swing and the second center Poirier of the Madrilenians conceded his 5th foul. The fans in the hall stood, Rubit increased the lead to 73-69, but Real's Yabusele sank his third three-pointer in the final quarter (73-72/38). A determined three-pointer by Walden gave the fans hope, but two turnovers by Bayern allowed Madrid to equalize 76-76 (39). 26 seconds were left on the clock when Yabusele calmly put two free throws on target (78-76). A controversial off-ball foul was given to Madrid after video control. Bayern had to foul, Sergio Llull sank both free throws straight into the hearts of the fans, who celebrated their team anyway.

(c) Eirich, Pahnke, Stickel