The German basketball world champions suffered narrow defeats on the second day of the EuroLeague. While Alba Berlin and captain Johannes Thiemann scored 86:91 (47:51) against Baskonia Vitoria, Bayern Munich with Andreas Obst, Isaac Bonga and Niels Giffey lost on Thursday (10/12/23) at Panathinaikos Athens with 71:78 ( 30:37).
The Berliners, who were plagued by injuries in the center position and were predicted to have hardly any playoff chances after a change, showed a strong fighting performance against Baskonia. Tim Schneider, who returned after an eye infection, was the most accurate shooter with 17 points.
Thiemann, who had a double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds, brought Alba within three points shortly before the end with a three-pointer, but it wasn’t enough to win. It was the third competitive defeat in a row.
Bolmaro is Bayern’s best shooter
With 19 points, Leandro Bolmaro was the best scorer for Bayern, who defeated Alba at the start a week ago. Behind the Argentine, Bonga had ten points, Obst and Giffey each had seven. The clear goal for Munich, who made it to the quarterfinals in 2021 and 2022, is the playoffs after their disappointing 15th place in the previous season.
Both teams don’t have long to regenerate. In the cup round of 16, defending champions Bayern will face EWE Baskets Oldenburg on Sunday (5 p.m.) in a new edition of last season’s final. Alba challenges the Löwen Braunschweig in the round of the last 16 (6.30 p.m.).