The German basketball champion Ulm was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Bundesliga playoffs and missed the chance to defend its title after a thriller.
In the last game under master coach Anton Gavel, Ulm lost narrowly 72:75 (31:36) to Würzburg Baskets on Friday (May 24, 2024). In the series in “best-of-five” mode, the favorite lost 1:3.
Würzburg turns game around shortly before the end
In front of 3,140 spectators, the Franconians turned a three-point deficit in the last minute. Isaiah Washington converted the decisive free throws 10.3 seconds before the end. In the absence of injured top player Otis Livingston II, who will also miss the semifinals due to a torn medial ligament, Zachary Seljaas was Würzburg’s best scorer with 19 points.
Karim Jallow (15) was the most successful player for Ulm, who sensationally became champions last year after beating FC Bayern, Berlin and the Baskets Bonn. Before Würzburg, Berlin and the Niners Chemnitz had already advanced to the semifinals.
Rough series
The Würzburg-Ulm series was marked by injuries, hard fouls and some verbal taunts. Things were rough on Friday evening too. Ulm took the lead in the final quarter but couldn’t hold on to it.
After the upheaval following the championship title, championship coach Gavel is now also leaving, heading to his former club Bamberg Baskets. The former professional is expected to get the nine-time champions back on track after missing the playoffs. Ty Harrelson, who comes from Rasta Vechta, will follow in Ulm.
FC Bayern ultimately wins confidently against Ludwigsburg
In the semifinals, Würzburg will face top favorite FC Bayern, who also won the series against the giants Ludwigsburg 3-1 with a score of 76:69 (40:34). Carsen Edwards was the best scorer for Munich with 22 points, who advanced confidently after their opening defeat.