medi Bayreuth loses 70:75 to Promitheas Patras

medi Bayreuth’s second home game in the Champions League began as its last German league encounter against Braunschweig had ended. The team lacked focus and played hastily. Early changes to the starting five also did nothing to alter that. The Greek club, which was more alert and also played with greater zest from the outset, capitalized on that uncompromisingly. In particular, Tony Meier benefited from that and notched up 11 points. Promitheas Patras was able to carve out a double-digit lead after just five minutes and held on to it by the end of the period.

In the second period, it seemed that medi Bayreuth had steadied itself a little. The team of Head Coach Raoul Korner reduced the deficit bit by bit. It now also displayed the right fighting spirit. However, the home side never really got decisively within striking distance. Whenever it had chances to get closer, it squandered them with hasty actions or by losing possession. As a result, Promitheas Patras withstood this phase in which Bayreuth turned on the pressure midway through the period and in turn was able to build a comfortable 13-point cushion by the break.

The second half began with the team of Head Coach Makis Giatras chalking up its highest lead of the evening (46:30). However, then came medi Bayreuth’s strongest spell in the encounter. Not everything came off, but it displayed 100% commitment and fight. In particular Gregor Hrovat set a good example, cutting the gap to five with seven points in succession. As in the second period, however, all the good work was ruined again by unnecessary turnovers and the Greek club was able to go into the fourth quarter with a nine-point lead.

The story of the game continued in the final ten minutes. medi fought selflessly, but did not reap the rewards of its hard work. The players of captain Bastian Doreth were able to reduce the deficit to three points again (57:60), but never managed to capture the lead as a result of losing possession too many times (23 turnovers in the end!). That meant that – even though the home side dominated in rebounding and Kassius Robertson showed flashes of his class from outside – the Greek club ultimately ran out winners.

Source: www.medi-bayreuth.de/