Bayern Munich makes debut a memorable one with big win

In a clash of Turkish Airlines Euroleague newcomers, FC Bayern Munich made a dream debut, leading from start to finish and downing Stelmet Zielona Gora 73-94 on Friday. Bayern was in control from the get-go, as 10 consecutive points from Nihad Djedovic got them to a double-digit lead early in the first quarter, and behind solid defense, the margin grew to 28-48 at halftime. The visitors never looked back, and cruised to opening victory in Group C. Chevon Troutman paced the winners with 18 points, shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from two-point range. Nihad Djedovic scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half, Boris Savovic added 15 points, John Bryant collected 13 points plus 9 rebounds, while Malcolm Delaney finished with 10 points and 8 assists. For the hosts, Przemyslaw Zamojski and Erving Walker had 11 apiece. Craig Brackings scored all of his 9 points in the closing minutes, while Lukasz Koszarek had 7 points and 7 assists in defeat.

First quarter: Djedovic erupts as Bayern takes charge from start

Boris Savovic scored the first ever Euroleague basket for Munich, and Bryant inside helped make it 0-6 early on. Aaron Cel scored the first basket for Zielona Gora, before Delaney’s put-back and a Djedovic triple got Bayern to 2-11. A layup from Przemyslaw Zamojski and a tip in from Adam Hrycaniuk added to the hosts' tally, but Djedovic continued his run with 7 more points, including another three to make it for 6-18. Bayern built its lead behind excellent defense, and Lucca Steiger’s three-pointer extended it to 8-21. Vladimir Dragicevic sparked Zielona Gora's offense with a jumper, before Cel scored from downtown, cutting the deficit to 8 points. In the final minute of the quarter, Savovic made an uncontested dunk, but the hosts cut it even more as David Barlow ended the first quarter with a triple for 16-23.

Second quarter: Munich finishes half with 7 straight for 20-point margin

Bayern had a highly productive two minutes to open the second quarter, scoring 9 points during that span. Heiko Schaffartzik started things with a long two-pointer, and Troutman followed it with an easy layup, then a basket-plus-foul. After Erving Walker made a jumper for the hosts, Troutman answered with one of his own for 18-32. In the next three minutes, neither team scored a point until Koszarek made a shot midway through the quarter, and Marcin Sroka nailed a three-pointer, helping the hosts to 24-34. But the visitors did not let things get out of control. Bryce Taylor with a fastbreak layup, and Djedovic with his third triple extended it to 26-41. Zamojski hit an open jumper on the other end, but Bayern finished the half with a 0-7 run. Delaney started it with a spin-move floater, Savovic converted another fast break with a layup, and the same player beat the halftime buzzer with a put-back for 28-48.

Third quarter: Visitors remain in total control

Two free throws from Bryant extended the margin to 22 points at the start of the second half, but those were the only point the hosts allowed in more than 4 minutes. Meanwhile, on the other end, Zamojski hit a triple from the left corner, Christian Eyenga scored inside, and Hrycaniuk made a layup capping a 9-0 run to get within 37-50. Savovic snapped the run with a three-pointer, but Barlow answered right back from downtown. However, Savovic with a put-back and Schaffartzik with a short jumper restored control at 40-57, before Troutman and Idbihi extended it to 44-63 from close range. Both teams left plenty of scoring for the final minute, as Dragicevic made a fastbreak layup, before Schaffartzik hit from behind the arc for Bayern, but Walker answered, beating the buzzer from way downtown, and making it 51-66 after three quarters.

Fourth quarter: Bayern cruises after 0-11 run

Walker opened the fourth quarter with a tough driving layup for the hosts, but Troutman scored from close range and Taylor hit a jumper for 53-70. The visitors’ run continued with two more buckets from Troutman, and a basket-plus foul for Bryant for 53-77. With the game out of hand, Hrycaniuk and Cel scored for the hosts, but Troutman and Bryant were unstoppable inside, keeping the margin at 24 points. Koszarek nailed a three-pointer for 64-85, but Bryant answered with a basket-plus-foul. In the final minutes, Craig Brackings scored 9 points, including a triple, but Idbihi and Djedovic did not allow the hosts to come much closer, closing it out for a resounding victory.