The German basketball world champions suffered narrow defeats on the second day of the EuroLeague.
While FC Bayern Munich, led by Andreas Obst, Isaac Bonga and Niels Giffey, lost 71:78 (30:37) at Panathinaikos Athens on Thursday, Alba Berlin and captain Johannes Thiemann lost 86:91 (47:51) against Baskonia Vitoria ).
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 quarter-finals in 2021 and 2022, is the play-offs after their disappointing 15th place in the previous season.
The Berliners, who were plagued by injuries in the center position and who were predicted to have hardly any play-off 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.
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./both Dyn).