Final of the giants: Bayern Munich meets ratiopharm Ulm!

Final of the giants: Bayern Munich meets ratiopharm Ulm!

Things are now getting down to business in the Basketball Bundesliga: On June 15, 2025, the two best teams in the main round, FC Bayern Munich and ratiopharm Ulm, will face each other in the final series. The duel not only promises sporting explosiveness, but is also an exciting cover story that looks back on a lot of history. Bayern are the defending champions and want to successfully defend their 2024 championship title, while Ulm, as the current 2023 champions, wants to take the next step in this best-of-five series. EasyCredit BBL reports that Bayern has already won the championship title several times in its long history - a total of five times in the last seven years - while Ulm has only been able to enjoy the championship title since 2023.

The conditions couldn't be more different: Bayern, as winners of the main round, have the home advantage and were able to win 3-1 against MLP Academics Heidelberg in the semi-finals. Ulm, on the other hand, had to go to the decisive fifth game in the semifinals against the Würzburg Baskets, where they won 91:84. Despite the strong performance in the playoffs, Bayern feels under pressure; after all, the championship is seen as a must. The team from Munich is clearly the favorite, while Ulm wants to exceed expectations once again - and has an absolute top player in its ranks in Karim Jallow, who scored 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in the semifinals.

The direct balance sheet and awards

The history of the last seven finals between the first-placed and the second-placed teams speaks clearly for Bayern: In these encounters, it was always the first who triumphed. Only in the 1989/90 season did Leverkusen, as runners-up, manage to beat first place in the final. But the odds of the two teams are also an indicator of the excitement in the upcoming final: Bayern has a three-man quota of 37.3% in the playoffs, while Ulm, although the best three-man team in the main round (38.6%), only has a 31.2% in the playoffs. BR24 reports that the two main round games, in which each team won once, further fueled the big competition: Bayern won at home 70:62, while Ulm was able to shine in their own stadium with 109:94.

With a total of 78 competitive games this season, Bayern have a number of players who are regularly on the floor in the important playoff phase. The Munich team's operating times range between 19:17 and 25:06 minutes. Ulm, on the other hand, varied in his playing times from 15:07 to 27:53 minutes. In the all-time record, Bayern have won 24 of the 38 meetings and are therefore clearly in the lead in direct comparison, even though Ulm won the only playoff series last year.

Outlook for the final series

On Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the time has finally come: the first whistle for the final series will be given and the game will be broadcast live on Dyn. The excitement is palpable and both fans and players are curious to see who will clinch the championship this time. Coach Gordon Herbert for Bayern and Ty Harrelson for Ulm both have the opportunity to become champions in their first year as coach of their respective teams. This is a very special challenge that you don't have every day in your coaching life.

Meanwhile, Ulm's talents, especially Ben Saraf and Noa Essengue, are looking towards the NBA draft. Will they stay in the final or could they drop out if a fifth game becomes necessary? Such questions are buzzing through fans' minds as they wait for the first balls to rise into the air. With an exciting final series and many outstanding questions, viewers can look forward to action-packed basketball!