The basketball players of FC Bayern have to accept a sensitive setback on the last league game day of the Euroleague. But there is a back door that still keeps the play-off dream alive.
Julian Buhl reports from Munich
The basketball players of FC Bayern missed the direct entry into the play-offs of the Euroleague. On the last day of the league in Sap Garden, the Munich team had to surrender to the table runners -up Fenerbahçe Istanbul with 77:89 (31:46). The FCBB must now take the detour via the play-ins in the fight for quarter-finals.
“This is super annoying. I am very frustrated. We are all extremely frustrated because it was a blatant chance here at home,” said world champion Niels Giffey at Magenta Sport and demanded: “We just have to be clear which DNA we want to get on the field. We have to get that over 40 minutes to end a strong season in the Euroleague.”
In principle, the Bavarians were inferior from the start and fell behind in the first two quarters with over 20 points. They subsequently ran in vain. Led by top scorer Carsen Edwards, which scored a total of 26 points, Bayern were able to shorten again in the last quarter almost two minutes before the final siren to six points (71:77). It was no longer enough. The large basketball miracle, of which the Munich team was allowed to dream again, failed to do so.
The support of soccer world champion Thomas Müller, who, like Bayern President Herbert Hainer, lived live in the hall, did not change anything. In the end, the 35-year-old saw a bitter defeat of the club colleagues.
The FCBB thus misses the direct qualification for the play-offs, which is only guaranteed for the first six teams of the Euroleague. The teams in places seven to ten placed, which Bavaria belong to as currently table-tennis, have to be awarded to the so-called play-ins, in which two more play-off places are awarded. Participation in the play-ins is at least already certain-regardless of the outcome of the games that will be held on Friday.
The numerous Turkish fans in the SAP Garden made their chants for an emotional atmosphere during the game. After the duel, “goodbye” speakers could be heard towards Bavaria.