Three days before the start of the playoffs, champions ALBA Berlin set an example in the Basketball Bundesliga with a win over long-time rivals FC Bayern Munich.
The winner of the main round won the exciting dress rehearsal 83:78 (41:34), the prestige duel no longer had an impact on the standings, both teams did not work with the final consequences.
The Berliners will meet former series champion Brose Bamberg (8th) in their first quarter-final game on Friday (7 p.m. / MagentaSport).
FC Bayern, third, will only find out on Wednesday evening whether the first round will go against the MHP giants Ludwigsburg or the Niners Chemnitz.
FC Bayern is getting going too late
The Munich team had to do without their head coach Andrea Trinchieri, who was in poor health, for a short time, assistant Slaven Rimac took over and saw a false start. It quickly became 0:10, and it took more than five minutes for the hosts to score their first basket.
Cup winner ALBA had almost a week’s break before the catch-up game and looked fresher. Bayern were trailing behind for a long time, but the EuroLeague quarter-finalists improved after the break – the game was completely open.
Yovel Zoosman sealed the victory for the Berlin team with top scorer Jaleen Smith (24 points) seconds before the end of the free-throw line.
In the playoffs, three wins are required in each round to advance. By winning the main round, ALBA always has a home advantage, even in a possible final series.
In the previous year, the Berliners had prevailed in a duel for the title 3-1 against Munich.