Struggles persist locally, aspirations float elsewhere:
Battling for the Bundesliga Title: Bayern Munich and Ratiopharm Ulm Face Off
The might of Bayern Munich's basketball squad has seen tougher battles before. Fueled by coach Gordon Herbert's guidance, they and the national team made history by winning the World Cup in 2023, outsmarting top contenders like the USA along the way.
Key figures like Johannes Voigtmann, sharpshooter Andreas Obst, Niels Giffey, and Justus Hollatz were part of that World Cup triumph, one might argue that facing Ratiopharm Ulm in the Bundesliga final, after letting slip the cup against Syntainics MBC in Weißenfels and exiting the Euroleague against Real Madrid, is a walk in the park.
The Bayern Crowns: A Necessity
Think again. With the series opener set for Munich's breathtaking SAP Garden on Sunday (6:00 PM/Dyn), heavy pressure descends upon the Bayern team. Their sole remaining title opportunity lies in the Bundesliga, where they'll square off against past champions Ulm in a best-of-five duel.
Club president Herbert Hainer deems the championship as a "must-win," and the ambitious coach Herbert, who traded his German national team duties for Munich after the Olympics, is eager to instill a "championship culture" within the club. He won't tolerate Ulm or Alba Berlin ending up with too many titles in the future.
Ulm: A Mighty National Challenge
Ulm presents the toughest domestic challenge. Under the leadership of Ty Harrelson, they steamrollered former serial champions Alba in the quarterfinals and demonstrated resilience, clinching a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Würzburg in the semifinals.
Before tip-off in the SAP Garden, a side-story unfolds from Ulm that might not be welcomed by the Bayern team. Ulm is requesting a rescheduling of the fourth and fifth games—currently slated for June 24 and 26—due to their French player Noa Essengue and Israeli player Ben Saraf who have entered the NBA draft and wish to be present in New York on June 25 and 26.
A potential scheduling tangle
Theoretically speaking, if either Essengue or Saraf are selected during the draft, they could face a scheduling conflict (assuming the draft dates and the BBL Finals overlap). Ulm wants to avoid forcing their talented duo to choose between two lifelong dreams. Adjustments to the series schedule would undoubtedly impact the BBL Finals and potentially affect other games, but at the time of this rewrite, it's unclear whether such a rescheduling has been officially agreed upon.
The Theoretical Underdog: Bayern
Despite scheduling complications, a series win for the Munich underdogs would be unexpected, given their self-image as the pinnacle of national dominance that could soon dictate the basketball league, emulating the football domination a decade ago.
The Herbert squad possesses a superior roster to Ulm, enjoys a two-day rest advantage following a 3-1 series triumph over Heidelberg, and wields the home-court advantage, which cannot be disregarded given the dramatic impact it's had on both teams.
Ulm, however, approaches the series brimming with confidence, eager to snatch their second title since 2023, when they claimed a series sweep over the Munich champs on their way to the trophy.
Throughout the season, Karim Jallow, who stood out in the semifinals, has insisted that they are prepared to take on any opposition. "Respect for Bayern, sure," Jallow said, "but we equally know our capabilities. With this team, anything is possible." The pressure rides on Bayern, while Ulm dares to dream of the unexpected championship.
The Schedule Issue: Potential NBA Draft Conflict
Given Ulm's requests for a series rescheduling due to potential NBA draft obligations for players Noa Essengue and Ben Saraf, adjustments to the Bundesliga finals could impact the duel and potentially affect other games.
** Unexpected Tactics: Ulm's Confidence**
Despite being labeled the underdogs, Ulm appears unfazed by Bayern's reputation, confidently eyeing their second title since 2023 and eager to defy expectations by snatching an unexpected championship.
