Four 3-0 wins to start the BBL play-offs. Now the semi-finals are on the agenda – and they are likely to be closer. Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri vehemently rejects the role of favourite.
Not champions Alba, not Bayern, not Ludwigsburg and not Bonn. No semi-finalist has suffered a defeat in the BBL play-offs so far, and for the first time since the introduction of the best-of-five format more than 20 years ago, four clubs with a clean slate will meet. The teams could therefore naturally save their strength. But one thing is clear: at least two series will be snapped this weekend.
The first game will be on Friday (19:00/MagentaSport) between Alba Berlin and the MHP Riesen from Ludwigsburg. The defending champions, 3-0 winners over Brose Bamberg in the quarter-finals, have a lot of respect. “They are tough and play very physical,” said guard Jaleen Smith, “after Ludwigsburg beat us twice in the main round, they will go into the series with a lot of confidence.”
Ludwigsburg is “getting better every year,” said Alba head coach Israel Gonzalez, adding that the upcoming opponent plays “unconventionally, often with a small lineup. It’s a challenge to adapt to this style,” the Spaniard stressed, highlighting the Ludwigsburg’s recent performances: “Two years ago we played them in the final, last year they were first in the main round.”
Unlike the Berliners, who were highly superior against the Bambergers, the MHP Riesen had prevailed in the closest of all quarter-final duels. Although Ludwigsburg eliminated ratiopharm Ulm 3-0, they had to go into overtime twice, and even double overtime in the opener. Against Alba, the Giants, who are still waiting for their first title, are the underdogs.
“We feel comfortable in the role of not being the favourite “
In the second semi-final, the Bavarian basketballers head to the resurgent Telekom Baskets Bonn on Saturday (8.30 p.m.) for the opener, who are back in the top four for the first time since 2009 and have home advantage in the series thanks to their second place in the main round. Coach Tuomas Iisalo’s Bonn team earned their spot against Hamburg Towers. “We feel comfortable in the role of not being the favourite,” Bonn’s manager Andreas Boettcher told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger: “I think we can beat any opponent in this league. Even the Bavarians. It’s just going to be hard to do that in a five-game series.”
Munich, who caused a sensation this season by making it to the Euroleague quarter-finals again, defeated “fearful opponents” Niners Chemnitz 3-0 after previously losing three in a row. However, there was also a portion of luck involved in the last duel, which went into overtime.
Trinchieri sees his team as underdogs
In addition, Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri recently lamented a number of injuries, which is why he by no means sees his team as favourites against Bonn. The Bavarians have “the privilege of being pure underdogs,” says the Italian: “Everything is against us for now. But of course we are determined to fight like Don Quixote.”
Trinchieri gave his team first time off after stressful months, a break of seven days between two games are an unusual luxury for Bayern after the long triple load with league, cup and EuroLeague. “Hopefully we can recover well,” said Trinchieri, “and get some players fit.” Bayern should be particularly warned against Bon’s top star Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who scored 36, 41 and 31 points in the first three play-off games.
