BBL Cup: Bamberg back in the top four after seven years

Bamberg Baskets are back in the cup top four for the first time since 2017! In a completely crazy encounter, Amiel's players turned around a 13-point deficit in the first half, but then failed to defend a strong 21-point lead. However, top scorer Zach Copeland was not fazed by the 85:87 deficit with 25 seconds remaining - he hit the three-pointer to win 88:87!

The game in February 2024 will be Bamberg's first Cup Top Four appearance in seven years, when it defeated FC Bayern Munich 74:71 in the final. Is that a good omen? Because their opponents in the semi-final on 17 February 2024 are the same Munich team. Yet how Bamberg qualified for the final round is one of the most memorable games in the history of basketball in the cathedral city: Bamberg quickly trailed 2:13 and even 7:20 shortly before the end of the quarter, but from then on, Amiel's team got its act together - and when Zach Copeland, who was still without a point in the first quarter, hit even the wildest of shots, Bamberg clawed its way back point by point. EJ Onu tied the scores at 34:34 with a three-point play two minutes before the break and Copeland and Malik Johnson secured a 42:39 lead at the break.

Bamberg produced a perfect quarter after half-time: The Amiel players kept things tight at the back for minutes on end and produced a firework display in offence: 31 points and 73:56 after 30 minutes. When Copeland drained his free throws to make it 82:61, the game seemed to be decided with eight minutes remaining. Yet Vechta had not won 29 of its last 30 home games for nothing. The home side capitalised on two Bamberg misplaced passes and an offensive foul to produce a run of 0:10 and Vechta now overran Bamberg to trail 83:84, followed by a three by the home side with 25 seconds remaining to make it 85:87. Yet top scorer Zach Copeland held his nerve - his sixth three to make it 88:87 and secure Bamberg's victory on the road.

Oren Amiel (Bamberg Baskets Head Coach) commented: "Coaches always see things that weren't so good. For example, the way we gave up the lead. But I think we still deserved to win. We got off to a weak start. But then we took control and played almost perfectly for a long time. The boys have achieved great things."

The next Bundesliga game is scheduled for Monday, 18 December: HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim, who are bottom of the table, will be the visitors at 8 pm.

Further information can be found at https://bamberg.basketball and www.easycredit-bbl.de.