In an electrifying EuroLeague basketball contest at the SAP Garden on April 15, 2025, FC Bayern Munich clinched a pulsating 97–93 overtime victory against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade. The thrilling triumph in the EuroLeague Play-In Showdown ensured Bayern advanced to a decisive matchup with 11-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions Real Madrid, where the prize is a best-of-five quarterfinal playoff series against Olympiacos Piraeus – the dominant side atop the regular-season standings.
The night belonged to Bayern’s relentless resilience, showcasing a blend of tenacity, mental fortitude, and dramatic clutch plays that kept their EuroLeague aspirations alive. The match featured numerous momentum swings, underscored by exceptional individual performances, tactical brilliance, and an intense atmosphere.
Momentum Swings and Last-Minute Drama
Initially, Bayern appeared set for a comfortable finish, boasting an eleven-point lead at 74–63 early in the fourth quarter. However, Crvena Zvezda mounted a furious comeback, orchestrating a stunning 17–3 run to seize an unexpected 80–77 advantage. The Serbian side showed their trademark intensity, led brilliantly by their star player, Filip Petrusev, whose presence constantly threatened Bayern’s dominance.
The drama intensified with 1.6 seconds remaining in regular time. In an expertly crafted side-out play, Zvezda caught Bayern off guard, leaving Petrusev completely unmarked. He calmly executed the play, tying the game 84–84 and sending the contest into a nerve-wracking overtime.
Overtime: Bayern’s Heroics and Weiler-Babb’s Moment of Magic
The overtime period saw both teams push their physical limits, exchanging buckets under immense pressure. Bayern eventually established a narrow lead, but it was guard Nick Weiler-Babb who produced the game’s defining moment. With Bayern clinging to a precarious 92–89 edge, Weiler-Babb – off-balance and facing his own baseline – managed an extraordinary full-court overhead pass. This spectacular assist found Devin Booker entirely unguarded, allowing him an emphatic slam dunk to stretch the lead to a decisive 94–89.
Weiler-Babb later reflected on the high-pressure moment and admitted overcoming the frustration from conceding Petrusev’s equaliser at the end of regulation was a substantial mental challenge.
“It was a hard-fought game, with lots of ups and downs as both teams made runs and also struggled in certain periods,” remarked Weiler-Babb, who finished with an impressive all-around performance of 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. “We stuck together and came out on top after the letdown at the end of the fourth quarter. We didn’t end the regular season the right way, and knowing we had to win today, we locked in and bounced back in the second half.”
Key Performers: Booker, Edwards, and Petrusev Shine
Devin Booker emerged as Bayern’s offensive anchor, delivering a team-high 21 points and securing 5 rebounds. Reflecting on the team’s fighting spirit, Booker credited his teammates and the fervent home crowd: “We never gave up, as this team always had a lot of grit, fight, and tenacity. We let a couple of games slip before, but not tonight. Every time we pick up on the defensive end, it translates all over our game as our offence comes no matter what. We fed off the energy from the crowd tonight, and we came away with the victory.”
Alongside Booker and Weiler-Babb, Carsen Edwards also provided crucial scoring punch, finishing the night with 17 points, significantly contributing to the victory.
For Crvena Zvezda, Filip Petrusev delivered an exceptional performance despite his team’s ultimate defeat, scoring a career-high 30 points, including a remarkable 12-of-14 from two-point range. Petrusev further filled the stat sheet with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a block, showcasing precisely why he remains one of Europe’s brightest basketball talents.
Strategic Brilliance and Coaching Insight
Bayern’s head coach, Gordon Herbert, praised his team’s resilience, especially noting their pivotal third-quarter performance, where a focused defensive effort saw them overturn a 39–46 halftime deficit into a commanding 71–61 advantage heading into the fourth.
“We had a really good third quarter as our starters came out and played with a lot of energy,” the 66-year-old Canadian tactician explained. “We got a lot of defensive stops in the third. They had a run, we hung on, and congratulations to our players. We were up by 10 and then down by 4, but we stayed with it and never gave up.”
Herbert, who took charge at Bayern after a successful three-year tenure with the German national team, was quick to highlight young prospect Ivan Kharchenkov’s critical role. The 18-year-old delivered an impactful 11 points in just over six minutes of first-half play, crucially helping Bayern remain in contention early in the contest. Herbert emphasised Kharchenkov’s potential and praised his timely contribution amid Bayern’s taxing schedule – playing their fifth game in just ten days.
Road Ahead: Real Madrid Awaits
With this dramatic victory, Bayern Munich has significantly improved upon last year’s disappointing finish, where they languished at 15th place. Now, Herbert’s team is preparing to face a formidable Real Madrid side with rich EuroLeague traditions, a matchup promising even more thrilling basketball action.
For Bayern, the victory over Zvezda was more than just another win – it symbolised the team’s perseverance and renewed confidence. The upcoming game against Real Madrid is pivotal, offering Bayern the chance to qualify for the quarterfinal playoffs, an achievement that would undeniably underscore their development and ambition as a rising power within European basketball.
As they now look forward to challenging Real Madrid, Bayern’s squad and supporters alike are buoyed by their recent heroics, confident that their blend of youthful exuberance, veteran experience, and tactical acumen could yet produce further triumphs on Europe’s grand basketball stage.
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