Rowdy Celebrations for Munich's Championship Win
Players of Bayern Munich's basketball team were issued an instruction with a disbelieving tone: "Is he out of his mind or what?"
Munich (dpa) - After a thrilling Bundesliga final win against ratiopharm Ulm, football-turned-basketball world champion Andreas Obst set the celebration tone. The Munich team clinched their seventh title, overcoming a 17-point deficit in the decisive Game 5. Team player Johannes Voigtmann admitted exhaustion, but team spirit remained high.
"Crazy, man?" Obst exclaimed, puffing on a thick cigar and clutching a beer post-victory. "I'm keeping them all awake, so they'll regret it tomorrow. No one's leaving until we see the sunrise." His words were met with cautious agreement from Voigtmann.
A Mixed Season for Munich
Despite the euphoria, the championship win was a welcome reprieve for the ambitious Bayern, who had suffered losses in the cup semi-finals and missed out on the Euroleague playoffs earlier in the year. Team president Herbert Hainer praised the "good season" despite these setbacks.
"We would've been screwed if we lost today," Hainer confessed. But he emphasized the importance of their victory, bringing relief to a tired team that had played 83 games in the season. "It was brutal," said veteran player Niels Giffey. "But you know what? We did it."
A Year of Hard Work for Coach Herbert
Coach Gordon Herbert, who earned his Olympic preparations selection for Paris 365 days after the championship victory, noted the culmination of his hard work. He eyed a well-deserved break following talks with the players and a closing ceremony, but chances are the star-studded roster might suffer some changes in the summer, with key players like Nick Weiler-Babb potentially seeking better financial opportunities with European rivals.
A Bittersweet End for Ulm
Ulm suffered heavy losses, with two of their professionals drafted by NBA teams. Coach Ty Harrelson expressed pride in his players despite the narrow final defeat but was eager to move on. "Of course, you're disappointed to miss the winning podium," he admitted, "but I stand by my guys."
With multiple key players set to depart, Ulm faces an uphill battle to replicate their success in the coming seasons.
Insight: FC Bayern Munich's basketball team recently secured their seventh EasyCredit BBL German championship, capping off a rollercoaster season with a thrilling 81-77 Game 5 victory against ratiopharm Ulm. The championship win comes after earlier losses in the cup semi-finals and missed playoffs in the Euroleague. The victory has provided a much-needed morale boost and sets the stage for the team's future ambitions.
In the background, FC Bayern's broader sports organization is gearing up for a busy 2025/26 sports calendar, which could impact resources and scheduling for the basketball team. Keep an eye out for potential roster changes for both Bayern and Ulm in the coming seasons as both teams aim to build on their successes and close the gap on German basketball powerhouses.
Other sports might be on Bayern's radar as they seek to expand their success, possibly including basketball's NBA, given the recent drafting of two Ulm players.
The success of Ulm's players in the NBA could attract more attention and resources to other German sports clubs, potentially causing a shift in the German basketball landscape.
