The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich won their catch-up game at Asvel Villeurbanne thanks to a strong performance with 77:68 points and came back impressively in the fight for the playoffs. The Munich team have thus won the direct comparison with Villeurbanne and have drawn level with Efes Istanbul with their tenth win. The Turkish champions are currently in eighth place, the last to qualify for the finals.
As in the 84:77 victory at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz last Friday, the guests were again highly concentrated from the start, the ball ran quickly forward from a biting defense and the throws were safely converted. The Bavarians had started the trip to Lyon without KC Rivers, the experienced shooting guard had already said goodbye to colleagues on Sunday after the 92:70 victory in the Bundesliga at newly promoted Heidelberg. The 34-year-old was given a short-term contract after FCB top scorer Darrun Hilliard took an indefinite sick leave at the end of November with a serious knee injury. The contract has now been terminated prematurely by mutual agreement so that the American can accept another commitment.
Spectators are again allowed in the Audi Dome against Berlin on Friday, and Bayern are expecting 1,625 fans
Even without Rivers, Bayern were superior, leading 20:16 after the first quarter, pulling away in the second period and going into the break with a clear 45:29 lead. Even after the change, the guests convinced, every run of the hosts was immediately countered. The outstanding player and best thrower was Augustine Rubit with 17 points, while Ognjen Jaramaz (11) and Andreas Obst (10) also scored in double figures.
The next game in Europe’s premier class is already on Friday, when Bayern welcome Alba Berlin to the Audi Dome (8.30 p.m.) for the German Euroleague duel. Just in time from the point of view of the hosts you can count on the support of your own fans again, the Bavarian state government announced on Tuesday that a spectator capacity of 25 percent is allowed at home games again. So Bayern expect 1625 spectators, as in the last games with an audience so far, the 2G-Plus rule applies, so twice vaccinated with a negative test or boosted spectators are allowed in the hall. In addition, FFP2 masks are mandatory and distance rules apply.