FC Bayern Munich confidently won its first game after Gordon Herbert’s dismissal. In Cologne, the German champions prevailed 83-55 against Telekom Baskets Bonn. With nearly 19,000 fans in attendance, a new Bundesliga record was set.
18,713 spectators wanted to see the duel between Bonn and Bayern at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, breaking the 25-year-old Bundesliga record. At that time, 18,506 fans attended the mother of all games between Bonn and Alba Berlin. Back then, the Baskets lost, and a quarter of a century later, history repeated itself.
Bayern didn’t set the world alight in their first game after Gordon Herbert’s dismissal (Mihajlo Micic took over responsibility), but they were never in danger of losing the game. Munich’s top scorers were Isiaha Mike (22 points), Justinian Jessup (13, 6 rebounds) and Andreas Obst (12, 5/9 FG), while Tylan Birts (12) scored the most points for Bonn.
The game in Cologne started a good 16 minutes late because the shot clock wasn’t working (mobile clocks were placed on the boards) and then the court had to be cleared after a big confetti show. Bayern was unfazed by this and looked focused right away, especially on defense. In the first ten minutes, Bonn only sank one shot (1/15 FG) and trailed 9:23.
Bonn sets new attendance record
Bayern’s offense was not particularly impressive (40 percent over the game), but they once again controlled the boards and collected numerous second chances. But Bonn recovered a little, with Birts and former national player Patrick Heckmann (8) being the driving forces. However, Bayern always had an answer when in doubt, including two three-pointers from Obst. So the score was 27:40 at halftime.
Bayern were now less focused, especially on offense, but were able to rely on their individual class. The best example was Spencer Dinwiddie (11, 2/7), who first dribbled a hole in the floor, then hit a step-back three-pointer and also drew a foul against Heckmann. The lead settled at around 15 points.
And so the game petered out a little in the final quarter, with Bonn proving too harmless to cause Bayern any more trouble, and in the end it was a very clear victory. The win consolidates Munich’s lead in the Bundesliga, while Bonn slips to ninth place. Bayern will face Hapoel Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague on Tuesday, followed by an away game in Frankfurt on Boxing Day. Bonn will play at bottom-of-the-table Heidelberg a day later.