Bayern basketball athletes secure fifth triumph over Ulm in their series.
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GC Bayern Munich snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and forced a nail-biting fifth final game in the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) championship, tying the series against ratiopharm Ulm at 2-2. Bayern secured a surprising 67-53 win in Game 4, setting the stage for a thrilling climax on June 26, 2025, in Munich.
"Everyone was really up for it," commented Bayern professional Justus Hollatz on streaming service Dyn. "I think we played with heart, passion, and tough defense." Ulm's Nelson Weidemann, the top scorer with 13 points, remains "optimistic," despite expressing his team might have missed an opportunity for a sweeter win in Game 4.
The Ulm squad, gallantly fighting for their second title after 2023, find themselves going head-to-head against the million-dollar FC Bayern Munich ensemble, coached by the sensational Gordon Herbert who led the German national team to the World Cup title two years ago. Facing a season without a title, the Munich powerhouse is now edging closer to an impressive comeback, transforming a potential disaster into a grand comeback.
Napier Leads the Way for Bayern
Three days after a heart-stopping 81-79 in Game 3 at their home court, Ulm weren't able to bank on their impressive home strength this time around. They'd only lost one league game and playoff game at home before - that unfortunate loss to Heidelberg in December.
Shabazz Napier led Bayern with 15 points in Game 4. Ulm turned the ball over frequently and missed crucial shots. In the second quarter, they fought back from a ten-point deficit, but their efforts were undone in the final quarter as Bayern pulled away.
Saraf Returns, But Essengue Sits Out
At least one of their two NBA-bound prospects was available to Ulm in Game 4 - Ben Saraf. The 19-year-old scored 6 points, delighting the fans at the cauldron in Neu-Ulm. The Swabians, however, suffered from the absence of Noa Essengue, who missed out on the action. Both Saraf and Essengue have good chances of being selected in the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday, June 24, 2025.
A scheduling disagreement caused a heated argument between the teams before the final series. The league refused to reschedule games 4 and 5, based on established regulations.
In the upcoming Game 5, the battle for the German championship will reach its climax at the SAP Garden in Munich, 2 days after June 24, 2025. The outcome will determine the 2024-2025 season champion. Both Bayern Munich and ratiopharm Ulm are eager to take home the trophy and prove their worth among the basketball elite.
Other sports, such as basketball, have their own championship battles. For instance, the NBA draft on June 24, 2025, marks a significant event for basketball enthusiasts, with Ulm's prospects Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue hoping to be selected in the first round.
