FC Bayern sweeps Trier out of the play-offs – Bamberg follows into the semifinals

FC Bayern Basketball made use of their first match point and ended the playoff quarterfinals in three games. In game three, the Munich team defeated the VET-CONCEPT Gladiators Trier 99:62 and thus advanced to the semifinals. Shortly after, Bamberg also took the next step: the Bamberg Baskets won against ratiopharm Ulm 96:87 and are also in the last four.

Bayern advances after the 99:62 – the semifinal opponent will be RASTA Vechta or Alba Berlin

Bayern pulls away early after a close start

At the beginning, Trier was able to keep the game open. After the first quarter, Bayern led narrowly 23:20, also because the guests initially made some inaccuracies and Trier matched the intensity. The turning point came in the second quarter: Bayern increased the pressure on defense, got into their routines faster – and took the excitement out of the game early.

At halftime it was 57:33, a gap that clearly reflected the balance of power. Oscar da Silva was the most noticeable Munich scorer up to that point with twelve points; in the end, he had 20 points. In a game that quickly tilted towards "control instead of risk," the Munich team also benefited from their depth: Andreas Obst contributed 16 points, Neno Dimitrijevic 12.

Rebounds and turnovers decide the game for good

Bayern won the decisive basic duels: rebounding, ball control, physical presence. At times, the rebound ratio was 30:9 in favor of Munich – a number that denied Trier second chances and fueled Bayern's own pace. At the same time, Bayern consistently punished the hosts' turnovers, got easy points, and pushed the lead to 30 points just two minutes after the restart.

Before the final quarter, Bayern led 81:46. Trier found some successful actions, but this did not change the structure of the game: Bayern stayed alert, kept the intensity high, and just missed the 100-point mark. With the 99:62, the sweep was perfect – and the series ended before it could even reach the phase of real nervousness.

Bamberg delivers the decisive blow in the third quarter

The duel in Ulm was much closer – at least until halftime. After 20 minutes it was 47:47, before Bamberg took control in the third quarter. The 32:19 run in this section was the decisive sequence: Bamberg gained control of tempo and space, shot efficiently from outside, and took advantage of the phase in which Ulm briefly lost their offensive rhythm.

The key figure was Ibi Watson: 28 points, six hits on eight three-point attempts – a performance that repeatedly posed the same, unpleasant choice for Ulm's defense. Additionally, Demarcus Demonia stabilized Bamberg's game with 17 points and six assists. On Ulm's side, Mark Smith (21 points, five rebounds, three assists) and Christian Sengfelder (18 points, eleven rebounds) fought back, but after the strong third quarter, Bamberg held the lead and won 96:87.

The sporting value for Bamberg lies not only in the result, but also in the timing: the semifinal ticket is secured – and the Franconians can recover while possible competitors in other series need at least a fourth game. In the series between Telekom Baskets Bonn and Würzburg Baskets, Bonn leads 2:1.

A direct rematch between Bayern and Bamberg – including the cup memory from February (Bamberg won back then after overtime 103:97) – would only be possible in a final series at the earliest.