On February 4, 2025, Bayern Munich triumphed over Olimpia Milano 85-70 at the SAP Garden, marking a significant victory for the home team in round 25 of the EuroLeague. The match saw the two European powerhouses clashing once again, each bringing their best to the hardwood, but Bayern’s superior performance sealed the game.
Bayern Munich entered the game with a record of 14-10, seeking to maintain their position as contenders. Coach Gordon Herbert aimed to capitalize on the energetic play of Carsen Edwards, who assumed responsibility for creating scoring opportunities. With Devin Booker sidelined due to injury, the team relied heavily on the versatility of Nick Weiler-Babb and the frontline contributions from Vladimir Lucic and Oscar Da Silva to establish dominance.
On the other hand, Olimpia Milano, boasting a record of 13-11, looked to build momentum off their recent win against the reigning EuroLeague champions, Panathinaikos. Despite this prior success, the team continued to grapple with injuries, missing key players like Nikola Mirotic and Mathias Lessort. Coach Ettore Messina had hope for his squad as they made their way to Munich for this important matchup.
From the opening tip-off, the game showcased intense play from both teams. The first quarter ended narrowly with Bayern leading 17-16, but the dominance began to show as the game progressed. Giffey and Lucic opened the scoring for Bayern, establishing their rhythm early on; this gave Bayern the offensive edge they would sustain through the game.
The second quarter saw the teams trade baskets, with several lead changes. The score at halftime stood at 37-36, indicating how closely fought the contest was up to this point. Nevertheless, the narrative changed dramatically as Bayern exploded offensively after the break. The pivotal moment came when Edwards began to find his groove, igniting the Bavarian team just enough to create some distance.
While Olimpia Milano did manage to display excellent shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 7 of 15 attempts, it was their continued struggles with rebounding and ball control—resulting in 18 turnovers—that proved devastating. Bayern took full advantage of these mistakes, gathering 16 offensive rebounds and funneling their opportunities to the free-throw line where they logged an impressive 21 of 23.
The third quarter saw Bayern mount their lead to comfortable margins. A series of successful plays culminated with A. Obst, who pushed the score to 78-60 with 4:24 left on the clock. Giffey’s late-game scoring helped to solidify Bayern’s advantage as he capped the night with 16 points, showcasing his key role throughout the game.
Olimpia Milano’s attempts to cut the deficit were sporadic and not consistent enough to truly threaten Bayern’s control. Led by Zach LeDay’s 17 points, the Italian team demonstrated resilience; yet they still faced hurdles against the relentless defensive pressure of Bayern, evidenced by several key turnovers during pivotal moments.
The closing moments of the game had both teams exchanging scores, but with Bayern firmly holding onto their lead, it became apparent they had earned the well-deserved win. The final score reflected their dominance on the night, closing 85-70.
Boxscores provided insights, with Giffey and Lucic both contributing 16 points each, supporting the Bavarians’ success. Olimpia Milano saw individual efforts from Brooks and Leday with 13 and 17 points, respectively, but their overall team effort fell short against the cohesive play of Bayern Munich.
This EuroLeague matchup highlighted the growing competitiveness between the two teams, as they aimed for playoff positioning with only weeks left in the season. Bayern Munich’s strategic execution and depth proved key to overcoming their opponents, and they look to carry this momentum forward as they continue their campaign.
Fans witnessed a match brimming with drama, statistics, and stellar performances from both sides. While Bayern passes with renewed vigor, Olimpia Milano must recalibrate and recover as they head back to the drawing board, hoping to bounce back for their upcoming contests.