FC Bayern have impressively avenged their defeat in last season’s final series. The Munich side dominated champions Alba Berlin, particularly under the baskets, and left no doubt as to the winner from the very start.
Bayern took control right from the start and took an early 8–2 lead thanks to two easy dunks from Austin Wiley. The Berlin side, weakened by injuries – with Norris Agbakoko and Martin Hermannsson missing and Jack Kayil playing whilst carrying an injury – struggled to get a foothold in the game at first. Wiley consistently exploited the advantages under the basket, scoring eight points in the first quarter alone.
Following a 10–2 run towards the end of the opening quarter, the Munich side were already leading 22–12. Bayern grabbed seven offensive rebounds in the first ten minutes and extended their lead further in the second quarter. Whilst ALBA struggled to find solutions in attack and scored just six points in the first eight minutes of the quarter, the lead grew to 33–16 at one stage.
At half-time, the score stood at 40–24 in favour of the visitors. Both teams were off the mark from distance, but Bayern controlled the game with a clear 28–14 advantage in rebounds. ALBA managed just 32 per cent from the field and were only awarded two free throws in the entire first half.
After the break: Bayern step it up again
Little changed after the break. Following an unsportsmanlike foul by Nevio Bennefeld, Bayern pulled away to 59–36 and went into the final quarter with a 66–42 lead. By this stage, the Munich side had dominated the rebound battle 43–20 and had already collected 16 offensive rebounds. ALBA were unable to compensate for their disadvantages under the basket, even from outside, and made only six of their first 29 three-pointers.
In the final quarter, the match turned into a definitive show of strength. Following a three-pointer from MarJon Beauchamp, Bayern were at one stage 39 points ahead and ultimately won comfortably 95–61. Kamar Baldwin and Oscar da Silva were Munich’s top scorers with 14 points each, whilst Wiley recorded a double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds. For ALBA, Kayil was the top scorer with 14 points and five assists.
