FC Bayern Munich has successfully made its debut in the SAP Garden against Real Madrid. Although Bayern lost its way in the third quarter at the start of the EuroLeague, it won 97:89 thanks to a comeback in the fourth quarter.
It was a rollercoaster in the new arena. After leading by double digits at halftime, Real completely turned the game around in the third quarter, only to let Bayern back into the game in the final quarter. Munich suddenly hit hot form from outside and celebrated their first victory in the new arena in front of a sell-out crowd in the SAP Garden.
German international Johannes Voigtmann (19 points, 10 rebounds) was outstanding with a double-double and five buckets from outside, while Shabazz Napier (25, 8/12 FG) was the top scorer for Munich. Like Carsen Edwards (14), the guard had ups and downs in his game, but was on hand in the final spell. Dzanan Musa (18) and Facundo Campazzo (19, 5/11, 9 assists) were the top scorers for Real.
The visitors started the game much better than in the league. Andi Obst (9) and Voigtmann each made two buckets from outside, Devin Booker (11) drained an alley-oop. It took a while for the Royal Family to get going, but then they found it easier to score. Dzanan Musa and the returning Ibaka gave Bayern a hard time, and Real then went in front on the buzzer after a turnover by Shabazz Napier (26:29).
FC Bayern turned up the heat again in the fourth quarter
But Bayern quickly got themselves back into it. Edwards played very differently compared to the BBL, helped by the presence of Napier. Bayern found mismatches under the basket and continued to score threes. With four minutes left before half-time, Booker put Bayern in double digits. Yet it was again the visitors who ended the period better. A 9:0 run made it exciting again, with the teams going in at half-time with the score at 52:51.
It continued the same way after the break. Real produced a 10:2 run after the break, and after a three by Campazzo, Head Coach Gordon Herbert called a timeout after just three minutes. Walter Tavares (12, 9 rebounds) had foul trouble in the first half, but the center, along with playmaker Campazzo, was the most important player for the visitors. Bayern hardly got any good shots, so the deficit was already nine points (64:73) before the final quarter.
Campazzo flies in the final phase
At least the home side rallied again, an 8:2 run was finished off by a bucket from outside by Voigtmann, and Giffey equalized from downtown shortly afterwards. Munich now got into its stride and drained one three after another. Bayern produced a 24:4 run, and the arena was rocking after Voigtmann’s fifth three.
However, the game was still not over yet. With one minute remaining, Devin Booker picked up his fifth foul, and Campazzo cut the deficit to three points again shortly afterwards, followed by two free throws from the Argentine. On the other side, however, captain Vladimir Lucic remained ice-cold from the line, while Campazzo wanted to draw a foul on the three. The point guard was so annoyed about that that he was disqualified by the referees – it was the right decision for Bayern, as Lucic also made the five free throws that resulted from it.
The league action continues for Bayern on Sunday, when they travel to BG Göttingen (tip-off: 3:00 p.m.). Real Madrid host Hipos Lleida in the ACB league (6:30 p.m.).
