Bayern break Žalgiris in a thriller for the first time in the Euroleague playoffs / News

The confrontation between Kaunas “Žalgiris” (16-17) and Munich “Bayern” (20-13) was resolved in the last seconds. Only this time the Bavarian basketball players smiled.

Vladimir Lučičius gets two fines and Bayern hits 2.3 seconds before playing 71:70 (9:22 PM, 4:14 PM, 8:18 PM, 2:16 PM) broke Kaunas in the penultimate game of the regular season.

This victory guaranteed the Bayern team a place in the Euroleague playoffs. Among the eight strongest teams in the league, the German team, which debuted in the league in 2013, never has been.

“This is a wonderful moment, we’ve been dreaming about it since August, when we all got together,” Lučičius smiled after the match. “It is a great achievement for everyone, we are the first German team to reach the playoffs, but there are still many important games to go and we have to be prepared for that.”

Žalgiris took the lead in 70:67, but James Gist’s colon brought the hosts closer to the point. Kaunas didn’t attack twice when their attacks ended by mistake, but Bayern’s last attack, which was interrupted by Hayes, who knocked the ball out of Wade Baldwin’s hands, got stuck.

The referees had originally handed the ball to Žalgiris, but after reviewing the video, they changed the decision and allowed the Bayern team to continue the attack.

Bayern had 3.2 seconds to do so. and after a minute of rest the ball was entrusted to Lucic. He attacked from the left corner and was fouled by Joffrey Lauvergne. Serbia coldly realized both fines.

After a minute of rest, “Žalgiris” got stuck throwing the ball off the sideline, finally Thomas Walkup dropped it with Joffrey Lauvergne, and this shot was blocked by Lučičius just before the final siren.

Man of the match

After a moment, the Bayern players hugged, coach Andrea Trinchieri flashed the broadest smile, and the club’s sporting director, Marko Pešičius, clenched his fists on his knees.

“For the last 10 to 12 days, we have felt that we are close, but we have not secured a place,” Trinchieri said. – We did not play well, we were not easy, we felt pressure. I thank all the players, this is a historic day for Bayern and German basketball.

As the coach made it easy for me, I am very happy for the players. We have been chasing this dream from day one and we have finally achieved it. Now is the time to enjoy it. “

How will the coach have fun?

I’ll drink a puddle of red wine. The Olympic swimming pool ”, smiled the Italian.

No team was more than 7 points away during the entire match, and at the end of the match, “Žalgiris” seemed to take the initiative. After five consecutive points from Hayes, Kaunas led 66:65 in the 37th minute of the match, and after two Walkup penalties, it was 68:65.

James Gistas then bounced the ball on attack after scoring Lučičius and scored two points, but Hayes also responded with two points on the other side of the field.

Then Gistas struck again from under the basket, and “Žalgiris” made a mistake twice and it was all decided when Lučičius stopped at the penalty line.

Kaunas lost a total of 19 balls.

Bayern: Vladimir Lučičius 13 (sixth chamber, block 2), Jalen Reynolds 12 (5/8 diat.), Nick Weiler-Babb 11 (3/6 trit.), Wade Baldwin (3/8 dvit., 4 res.) , James Gist after 8.

Žalgiris: Thomas Walkup 16 (2/2 trit., 26 uses), Nigel Hayes (2/4 trit., 6 sec.), Joffrey Lauvergne (6/11 double, 6 reps).) After 12, Lukas Lekavičius 10 (2/2 trit., 5 res.).

Žalgiris won the first match between these teams in Kaunas 74:73, when Marius Grigonis launched a victorious shot with a siren.

After this match, Žalgiris will have a Euroleague duel with Panathinaikos from Athens and Bayern with Barcelona.