Things had to happen quickly, the charter plane was waiting. After the champions’ game against the cup winners, the three Munich basketball world champions were in a time crunch; the “Sportsman of the Year” honor in the team category was waiting for them in Baden-Baden. Before that, there was still the small matter of a top game to take care of. And the expectations were not disappointed, in a high-speed exchange of blows, coach Pablo Laso’s team defeated the guests from Ulm with 95:80 (43:45) points in the BMW Park, thus underlining their high ambitions.
The fact that the game was extremely exciting until five minutes before the end was thanks to the class of the guests. The way the champion performed in the hall, which has been sold out for two weeks with 6,500 spectators, he can once again be expected to do a lot. Munich and Ulm now have three defeats each; But because the guests have recorded eight wins more, they remain second ahead of Bayern.
Of course it wasn’t a normal championship game, the overlap is too great: Ulm’s master coach Anton Gavel spent a formative part of his active career on the Isar, won the championship and cup and ended his career here in 2018. Ulm’s powerhouse Karim Jallow is a native of Munich and trained as a professional at FC Bayern. Last but not least, FCB world champion Andreas Obst achieved the quality in Münsterstadt (2019 to 2021) that ultimately led him to the Euroleague club in Munich. The Swabians also had a so-called one against the big title favorites in the playoff semi-finals last year Sweep missed, so won the best-of-five series 3-0 – two of these games even in the Munich Dome. From Bavaria’s perspective, this lèse-majesté had to be eradicated.
The people of Ulm are always able to compete on an equal footing
And then there was Che Guevara: Captain Vladimir Lucic was given this nickname by Laso predecessor Andrea Trinchieri because of his mentality and attitude. Now he was back on the field for the first time after an eight-month injury break that resulted in hand surgery – and, as befits his status, he introduced himself with two three-pointers.
Not only the recovered captain, but the entire Munich team seemed to want to quickly straighten the balance of power against the surprise champions. Above all, the Argentine playmaker Leandro Bolmaro scored with a high percentage, was the best of his team with 19 points and brought a lot of speed to the cup winners’ game. Carsen Edwards and Isaac Bonga confirmed the strong form of the past games (both 15 points), and Devin Booker (10) and Serge Ibaka made their presence felt among the baskets. Karim Jallow, among others, had to experience the former NBA champion’s athleticism when Ibaka spectacularly blocked him twice in quick succession during his dunking attempt.
The fact that the Munich team never calmed down, despite all of their impressive moves and individual actions, was due to the passion with which the guests resisted. Although the Ulm team had to cope with a bloodletting after the championship and let the dominant Brazilian duo Bruno Caboclo and Yago dos Santos leave for the Euroleague, the Swabians once again did an excellent job of scouting. And in Anton Gavel, a coach who puts it all together excellently. “It was very difficult against the champions,” said his counterpart, “Anton has once again formed a very competitive team.”
Ulm also plays internationally, in the lower Eurocup, and came with the recommendation of a win against defending champion Gran Canaria. A lack of self-confidence was therefore not noticeable, especially the 19-year-old playmaker jewel Juan Nunez acted cheekily, skillfully pulled the strings and scored 14 points. This didn’t go unnoticed by Laso, under whom Nunez made his professional debut at Real Madrid and became champion. “He’s still very young, but he’s already a big player.” According to Laso, he always watched him and he “got better and better” under Gavel. A praise that the Ulm coach acknowledged with a serious face in view of his playmaker’s expiring contract. In LJ Figueroa (18 points) from the Dominican Republic and the Brazilian point guard Georginho de Paula (17), Gavel once again has a fabulous South American duo in its ranks.
The guests were not undeservedly ahead 45:43 at halftime and stayed with it until the middle of the final quarter. But after Ulm’s final lead (67:66), “we lost too many balls and defensive mistakes and then we fell apart,” said Gavel. This was also due to the depth in the Bayern squad, which is unrivaled in the Bundesliga – and Laso was also able to have his top formation for the first time after Lucic’s return.
So the game turned into an expected show of force in the final phase. And the world champions arrived in time to be honored.