The Ulm basketball players won the first match ball in the final for the championship. Fans and those responsible are hoarse – and hot for the title. And thank a special match winner.
Basketball professionals can take big steps because of their height alone. With their victory on Saturday evening against Bayern Munich, however, the Ulm basketball players made a lot more in the Bundesliga final series. “It was a massive step,” said Justinian Jessup, who in game three in the second victory of the Ulm series in the Best-of-Five series became the match winner and had a top scorer with 22 points in a large proportion of that step.
At the 81:79 of the Ulm in Munich, the American not only contributed the last ten points for the guests, but also sank three litters from the triple line. “We never gave up, the mentality was enormous, we fought for this victory,” said Jessup. With this and with this second victory, he and his teammates put the Bavaria actually favored in the final series.
Bavaria coach Herbert Plant changes changes
Gordon Herbert, coach of Munich, who once fetched the world champion title with the German national team, was speechless for a moment after the final siren and went shaking his head off the floor. And that also because in the meantime and with a significant leadership of Bayern it did not look like it was as if the favorite would lose the next game and actually stumble in the final series.
“Of course it is also a psychological thing,” said Herbert later. “We have to go there and believe in it. We have already won big games away and will change a few things.” Herbert should also react to the fact that the Munich gave the game out of their hands and, especially against Jessup, found no means in the final minutes.
“JJ” with a supporting role
Teammate Karim Jallow had brought Bavaria to despair in game twohe was visibly impressed on Saturday evening of what Jessup had conjured up on the parquet in the final phase. “JJ has a pretty carried for the last few minutes,” said Jallow about the main role of his teammate. “But I’m also incredibly proud of the team. Wining here is not easy, now we are going in game four with a lot of confidence.”
This will increase on Tuesday – for the Ulm again in front of a home backdrop, which basketball players made almost invincible this season in their own hall. The Ulm collected only one defeat at home in league and playoffs, but the Ulm fans also presented themselves strongly in Munich.
Fans hoarse and hot for Tuesday
“They were great, I have never experienced such a breathtaking atmosphere abroad,” revealed Jessup. Many of the people who traveled had little voice after the game, but celebrated with that audible rest. “Uuulmmer”, they roared in the micros. “Horny, horny, cool, just. Horny.”
However, there could still be an increase in that ecstasy. On Tuesday (8:00 p.m., in the livestream on SWR.de/sport), the Ulm received FC Bayern Munich Basketball at game four and can make the championship clear with a win. “There is nothing hotter than having a match ball,” says Jallow. And maybe the title in the late Tuesday evening. For him and his teammates it would be the second after 2023 and the next very big step.
Prize on Sun., June 22, 2025 6:40 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
