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Ulm under pressure: win the championship at home against Bayern?
Ratiopharm Ulm will face Bayern Munich in the BBL final on June 18th. After a defeat, Ulm needs the support of its fans.
Ulm under pressure: win the championship at home against Bayern?
The basketball fans in Ulm can look forward to an exciting evening, because on Wednesday, June 18th, at 8 p.m., Ratiopharm Ulm begins a new chapter in the best-of-five series for the German championship against FC Bayern. After a defeat in the first game with 66:82 in Munich, the team from SWR under pressure, but wants to give everything in the Neu-Ulm Arena at home and is optimistic.
With an impressive home record of 15 wins from 16 games this season, Ulm have the confidence to challenge Bayern, who finished first in the last main round. Their last encounter in the Neu-Ulmer Arena ended impressively with a 109:94 win for Ulm, which should give the team additional motivation. Around 6,000 spectators are expected and head coach Ty Harrelson is counting on the support of the fans to create an exciting atmosphere.
Under pressure and full of hope
Even though the Ulm team were able to keep up for long stretches in Munich, they collapsed in the last ten minutes, so the players around their coach Harrelson are now under pressure to turn things around in the second game. “We believe in our strength and will do everything we can in the home game to maintain our chance of winning the championship,” explains Ulm’s head coach. Players like Karim Jallow emphasize the positive atmosphere in the team and are confident that the game plan will work.
The situation surrounding the young talents Noa Essengue and Ben Saraf is attracting particular attention. Both have expressed interest in the NBA draft, but it conflicts with the potential fourth and fifth games of the Finals series. Harrelson sees this situation as a challenge, but expects his players to do their best to secure a place in the finals despite this additional burden.
The meaning of the game
If Ulm can win game two, the two young players will face a difficult decision between the game or the draft. Regardless, sports director Thorsten Leibenath highlights the intensity of this final series and notes that it is a great chance for Ulm to win the title again after 2023.
With the memories of the last playoff series, which Ulm won 3-0 against Bayern in 2023, and the cohesion within the team, the anticipation for the home game is great. The people of Ulm know that every support counts. So throw your jerseys in the air and come cheer on your team! The final steps towards the championship are imminent, and “there’s something going on” for the basketball players from Ulm.
The BBL has already rejected the criticism regarding the scheduling conflict, which is further inflaming the situation. But while the people of Ulm are hoping for their chance, they are already planning a strategy to do well in both the final and the draft. An exciting and competitive game is within reach; the anticipation is already palpable.