At the end of a big final thriller, the basketball players of FC Bayern were relieved and extremely exhausted in their arms. Then the overjoyed players brought their families to the championship on the parquet, while Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß and President Herbert Hainer fell around their neck in the stands.
Despite a violent phase of weakness, the Münchner successfully defended downstairs in the playoff final of the Bundesliga outsiders Ratiopharm Ulm and their title. In game five of the best-of-five series, the big showdown in their own hall, Bayern celebrated a 81:77 (48:41) success in a thriller and despite a famous Ulm comeback. It was the decisive third victory.
“We really wanted it and are overjoyed that we rewarded ourselves for the hard work. The energy in the first half was good, but not really there in the second half. Then you just have to find other ways to decide the game,” said international Johannes Voigtmann about the roller coaster of the feelings and announced: “Now we will let it go properly.”
Seventh championship for Munich
The best thrower of the home side was veteran Devin Booker with 19 points. A bumpy Munich season ended with a happy ending. In the cup, the favorite had already failed in the semi-finals, in which Euroleague missed the team of ex-national coach Gordon Herbert the playoffs. President Hainer was still after 83 games of the season: “We play a very attractive basketball. That electrifies the whole city.”
While Bayern celebrated the seventh championship title, Ulm could not repeat his 2023 Bundesliga coup. The team from Baden-Württemberg was not enough for Karim Jallow to go to the coup. The weak consolation of the team of head coach Ty Harrelson has a strong season played and the star ensemble from the Isar has been demanding.
For the eleventh time in the Bundesliga history there was a decisive fifth final game. The home teams had always prevailed in the first ten duels. The fact that the best-of-five series could even be the ultimate showdown of the best-of-five series was in the clear 67: 53 away win of Bayern on Tuesday in Ulm. In the face of the final KO, the Munich team had been rearranged, especially after half -time and only approved 21 points.
First strong Bavaria start – then Ulm catch -up hunt
“We will need that again today to win,” Routinier Booker announced before game five at the broadcaster Dyn. Accordingly, the hosts defended aggressively right from the start and made life difficult. In the second third, the Munich team pulled away up to 17 points (47:30). The Bayern fans in the SAP Garden already celebrated.
Ulm weakened – as in game four – especially from the triple line, the first ten attempts all went wrong. Nevertheless, the guests took up swing, benefited from light messengers of Bavaria and continued to shorten the gap. When the first three -point throw found its way into the basket and a basket of Ulmer Nate Hinton ended the first half with the final siren, the match was open again.
Crazy final phase decides master fight
A little away from Bayern -Bank, Cars of Cars Edwards buried his head in his hands – the outstanding Munich professional has been missing for more than two months due to a back injury. As on Tuesday, the Ulm had to do without Jungstar Noa Essengue, who had flown to the NBA draft in New York and was selected there by the Chicago Bulls. Teammate Ben Saraf also found a team (Brooklyn Nets) in the first round – he did without the US trip and was on the floor in Munich.
What looked like in the second quarter after a Munich title show developed towards the end into a large basketball thriller. Ulm came closer to the trembling Bavaria and actually took the lead in the 33rd minute with 66:65. The hosts took four and a half minutes for their first points. In the end it became a wild exchange of blows – with the better end for Bayern.
Bayern Munich – Ratiopharm Ulm 81:77 (48:41). – Best throwers: Booker (19 points), Napier (15), Voigtmann (13), Obst (10) for Munich – Jallow (22), Jessup (11), Jensen (10), Plummer (10) for Ulm. – Spectators: 11,500. – Playoff final score: 3: 2.