Bayern’s basketball players also award their second match ball. Instead, Bonn will now start the semi-final showdown from pole position. The home advantage could make the difference. But the people of Munich know that the momentum in the series has changed.

Andrea Trinchieri is also powerless against human habits. When Bayern Munich’s basketball players were 2-0 up against Telekom Baskets Bonn in the semifinals a few days ago, their coach warned against being careless given the deceptive lead. Such thoughts are human, but he wants to fight them, said Trinchieri. After the 80:83 in the fourth game of the best-of-five series on Monday evening, one thing is certain: at least this fight was lost.

Now the people of Munich have one last chance on Wednesday (8.30 p.m. / Sport1 and Magentasport) to make the final in the basketball Bundesliga against Alba Berlin perfect. “Of course the momentum has changed. We have to go to Bonn, it will be full there,” said the Italian. After their race to catch up, he pushes the baskets – again – the more unpleasant role as favorites. Trinchieri asks his team to raise the level. “Anyone who’s afraid of going into the fifth game and winning should stay at home,” the coach unequivocally appealed to his team. In the all-or-nothing game, anything can happen. “It will be difficult, but we’ll see,” said the southerner, as usual, meekly.

Unlike Trinchieri, his counterpart Tuomas Iisalo was euphoric after the thriller in Munich. “A great fight by our boys. We deserved to win and extended the series to a decisive fifth game,” enthused the Bonn head coach and hopes that home advantage will have a positive effect. “Bayern have all the pressure on their side and we’re playing to a full house. It’s a beautiful situation for us.”

At the end of the third round, Bonn turned up the heat and Jeremy Morgan led the guests to a 66:60 with spectacular baskets and a 10:0 run. “Bonn had a good shooting rate,” acknowledged Bayern’s shooting guard Nihad Djedovic without envy. After a long-range shot by Bonn’s league MVP Peter Jackson-Cartwright to make it 83:77, the guests saved the narrow lead over time.