While the Baskets were still without injured top scorer Ryan Thompson, the Nanterre coach Pascal Donnadieu could still fall back on his three-pointer scorer Spencer Butterfield. The French team lived up to their reputation as dangerous three pointer scorers right from the first attack and after four minutes the score stood at 9:4 to the French side. On the Bonn side the throws were not quite reaching their targets but the defence showed right from the start that they wanted to reach the final. The half time score was 47:39.

After the end change the Baskets ratcheted up the lead but the guests never quite lost touch. The French team did not lose its nerve but remained calm and trusted that their strength would again return. And it did.

The French fought their way back into the game and sensed Bonn’s weaknesses. And found them. They created more space for their throws and used it. The lead shrank and Chris Warren gave the guests the lead (82:79) for the first time since the first quarter – naturally with a three pointer.

With around three minutes to go, Schaffartzik threw one three pointer to make it 85:79. The Baskets could not recover and the European dream was over.

Head coach Predrag Krunic will have his work cut out processing the defeat with his team. The next home game is on Sunday in the Bundes League against Jena.

(Original text: Tanja Schneider. Translated by Kate Carey.)