Insanity in the race for relegation - Third team rescued by basketball-playing firefighter!
Before the last day of the season, three teams could be relegated alongside bottom team Tigers Tübingen. Eventually, it was Hakro Merlins Crailsheim who were relegated after an intense match. MLP Academics Heidelberg and Rostock Seawolves, on the other hand, celebrated.
Amazing: Heidelberg's coach Ingo Freyer saved his third team in a row! In 2022, he was a late saver at EWE Baskets Oldenburg, in 2023 at MBC - and now at the Academics!
The situation is not easy: Crailsheim, who are in second-last place, host second-placed Alba Berlin. The Seawolves face league leaders FC Bayern. Two very tough tasks! Heidelberg have it easier, as they host relegated Tübingen.
One thing is certain: Crailsheim must win to avoid relegation. A defeat would surely mean the end. If all three teams win, the Merlins would also be gone.
2:32pm: The game in Crailsheim is about to start! The Merlins are relegated. Dyn commentator Chris Schmidt: "I call this arena a bullring because of the atmosphere. It's really like a bullfight." Expert Patrick Femerling sitting next to him: "It's going to be Wild West here today."
Dyn is making its debut by showing all nine games of the final day live like on TV.
A magician dressed up is standing in the stands. Schmidt laughs: "Perhaps he can help." Alba gets off to a strong start, leading 5:0 right away.
2:34pm: Heidelberg starts two minutes later. The Tigers' first shot fails - and coach Ingo Freyer outside clenches his fist.
2:54pm: Heidelberg leads 26:18 against Tübingen, Bavaria is ahead 31:22 against Rostock. Crailsheim is still 21 points behind, so they're further away.
2:58pm: Attention! Crailsheim is just six points behind and fighting their way back.
3:02pm: Rostock is really getting slaughtered. After an 8:0 run, Bayern takes a 43:30 lead midway through the second quarter.
3:03pm: Heidelberg fans explode! Keandre Cook makes a three-pointer! 33:32! The Merlins would now be safe - and the Seawolves would no longer be in the running!
But Alba responds again - Germany international Jonas Mattisseck makes a three. And the home side is 33:35 ahead again.
3:45pm: Half-time in Crailsheim. The score is 43:49, which could have been closer. However, when Rene Kindzeka tries to make a lay-up, the buzzer stops him. Dyn expert Femerling: "Ouch! The ball should have left his hand faster."
Munich goes to the locker room too. Bayern is 52:37 ahead against Rostock, so there's not much more going on here.
3:20pm: Now it's halftime in Heidelberg as well. A look at the table shows that Rostock and the Academics are saved, while Crailsheim will have to go down into the second division.
4:30pm: Crailsheim continues right on time. There's still hope! The atmosphere in the arena remains incredible!
3:34pm: Oh no, Rostock is only two points behind Munich! What's going on here? Suddenly, it's only 55:53!
3:38pm: Crailsheim trails 53:63, Heidelberg leads 56:38, Rostock trails 55:63 as NBA star Serge Ibaka and co. pick up the pace again for Bayern. Dyn commentator Schmidt: "Crailsheim must step up their game! As it stands, they will be relegated. But there are still 15 minutes left to play."
3:51pm: At the end of the third quarter, Crailsheim is only 70:75 behind. What a nerve-wracking fight! The fourth quarter has started in Munich. Rostock trailed by 64:80 with eight minutes remaining.
Dyn expert Femerling: "I'm curious to see whether the Rostock players on the bench know what's going on." Commentator Schmidt: "I know the coach Christian Held from his time in Trier. I'm 100% sure that the players know nothing about the situation."
3:58pm: Well, the Tigers are 60:71 up at the end of the third quarter in Heidelberg.
4:06pm: Full time in Munich. Rostock loses 73:101 at Bayern. Dyn commentator Schmidt: "Now the cell phones are being taken out and everyone is watching Crailsheim. The Merlins are fighting for their lives there."
17:10: Insanity! Crailsheim leads 82-86. High tension! There are four minutes and 28 seconds remaining.
17:13: Unbelievable! Leo Westermann of Crailsheim performs a blind pass! But his teammate Borges doesn't anticipate it. The ball goes out of bounds, resulting in a costly turnover. The Merlins' lead is now reduced to 83-92, with two minutes and 49 seconds left.
17:17: In Crailsheim, there are only 67 seconds left to play. The tally stands at 83-98, and the crowd becomes quieter. They understand: We've been relegated.
17.21: It's now confirmed! Game over for Crailsheim! They're relegated. In 2016 and 2024, they've both experienced this fate. The Merlins fall to Alba, 83-103.
17:27: Heidelberg's game has also ended! They win 93-78 against the relegated Tübingen. Jubilant cheers fill the air! Promotion is ensured!
After the game, Maurice Stuckey of Crailsheim shares his thoughts on Dyn: "This season was challenging and draining. Sadly, we fell short in the end. That's how sports can be sometimes. We'll pick ourselves up and continue."
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Source: symclub.org
