Ulm fails to advance past the quarter-finals. - Mullet Cuts Hair of the Expert!
### Surprising End for Champions: The Power of the Mullet
The champions are out after an unexpected defeat! Ratiopharm Ulm suffers a loss in game four of the playoff series against Würzburg Baskets with a score of 72:75 (31:36), leaving them with a 1:3 aggregate. This was despite the absence of the MVP for Würzburg, Otis Livingston II, who tore his medial ligament in his knee.
In a dramatic turn of events, mullet-sporting star Zac Seljaas (26) made the game-changing moves towards the end. With 19 points, he hit crucial three-pointers, secured rebounds and celebrated his team's victory. It's off to the semifinals for Würzburg!
Fiery Quarterfinals: The Mullet Defeats the Champions
The Schulturn-Hölle arena was packed with 3140 spectators, and tensions were high after the controversial night in game three. Würzburg's management had protested against Trevion Williams' (23) push on Owen Klassen (32). However, they withdrew the protest after reconsideration as Klassen was seen on the court with thickly taped neck muscles. Max Ugrai (28) played without a protective mask, despite his broken nose from game two, while Isaiah Washington (25) depended on painkillers for his aggravated ankle.
The tense atmosphere led to disjointed play in the first quarter, with Würzburg taking a 16:5 lead following a 9:0 run. Ulm responded with three quick threes, leaving the score at 16:14.
With Otis Livingston II's absence, Darius Perry (25) played for 40 minutes continuously in game three. The coach praised his energy, calling him "Robocop." Furthermore, after his second foul in the second quarter, Filipovski took a break. Ulm took advantage of this to secure their first lead in the 17th minute of the game (26:24).
"Otis told me before the team that this was now your team. Lead them; they'll follow you," Perry said after the game in a Dyn interview. "I'm not tired. This is a family here. This is the closest team I've had in my career. When we were down, we just stuck together."
The highlight of the game was when Ulm's Georginho de Paula (28) ruffled Isaiah Washington (25) as the first half came to an end.
In the second half, the game took a turn when youngster Julius Böhmer (22) suffered a knee injury when he landed awkwardly. Böhmer became the next casualty, and Ulm again took the lead with Karim Jallow's (27) contributions with 18 points.
But all eyes were on Perry, the "Robocop" of Ulm. When he hit a mind-blowing three-pointer to make it 52:50, the commentator, Stefan Koch (60), couldn't help but be amazed: "Is Sasa Filipovski a basketball coach or a druid who concocts magical potions?"
Things began to heat up in the last quarter as Ulm led 67:61 (35'). But then the mullet-sporting Seljaas appeared! Würzburg is now up against FC Bayern or MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in the semifinals. Ulm's season was over.
A somber farewell for team coach Anton Gavel (39), who's moving on to Bamberg. Captain Thomas Klepeisz (32) shared his thoughts, "It hurts right now. It was little things that tipped the scales. They played themselves into a similar frenzy as we did last year, were full of self-confidence, and that's why they turned the game around and won. We were right there, but it didn't work out. It was an amazing time. Anton is a great coach, but more than that, he's a great person. Anyone who's worked with him appreciates and likes him."
Read also:
- BVB trails 1-0 against Paris, with Füllkrug leading them towards the final.
- The degree of challenge in the manga undertaking is described here.
- Munich Drama: Late Real Penalty Leaves Bayern Shocked
- Lars is capable of leading BVB, according to many.
Source: symclub.org
