In the semi-finals of the Basketball Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich showed nerves of steel in the decider. After two consecutive home defeats, coach Andrea Trinchieri's team won their fifth duel at Telekom Baskets Bonn.
FC Bayern Munich has reached the playoff final for the German basketball championship against Alba Berlin by winning the decider at Telekom Baskets Bonn. The Munich team won the fifth duel against the Rhinelanders on Wednesday evening with 87:74 (42:44) and won the best-of-five series 3:2. The Berliners had already reached the final in three games against Ludwigsburg last Friday.
The first of five possible finals will take place in Berlin on Friday. Unlike the previous rounds, the series will be played in constant alternation between home and away games. At the latest with the fifth match on June 22, the new title holder will be determined.
In front of the eyes of Bavaria's honorary president Uli Hoeneß, the Munich team started in a dominant manner after two consecutive home defeats in Bonn. After eight minutes, coach Andrea Trinchieri's team was 22:8 ahead. The hosts needed a superb Peter Jackson-Cartwright to get back in the game. The American, voted the best professional in the league, turned the game around with 20 points before the break. Defensive specialist Karsten Tadda even made it 44:42 after 20 minutes with two successful long-distance throws.
After the break, Bayern got off to a better start. After five minutes in the third round, the Euroleague quarter-finalists led 56:51 and, after a 7-0 run, went into the final quarter with an eight-point lead.
Since Bayern were superior in the rebound duel and Jackson-Cartwright got better and better under control, Bonn didn't make it back into the game. Six minutes before the end, the Trinchieri team was leading 79:67 and despite a hectic final phase, they were no longer under pressure. The best shooter was Jackson-Cartwright with 25 points. Nick Weiler-Babb (18 points) scored the most successfully for Bayern.
