German Basketball Cup 2023: schedule, teams, and format / News - Basketnews.com

Find out everything about the German Basketball Cup 2023 tournament in Oldenburg, including the schedule, teams, and format.

Credit: imago images/Matthias Koch-Scanpix Credit imago images/Matthias Koch-Scanpix

February is the month of domestic cups, and Germany is no exception. This year, Oldenburg will host the German Cup Final Four on February 18 and 19.

This time, in contrast to last year, when FC Bayern did not even make it to the semifinals, all the favorites have prevailed and will compete for the Cup trophy.

Format

Besides the two EuroLeague representatives, ALBA Berlin and FC Bayern, Oldenburg, and Ludwigsburg are among the semi-finalists.

The format is as simple as it can get. Two semifinal games will be played in which the final's participants will be determined.

Teams

ALBA Berlin FC Bayern Munich EWE Baskets Oldenburg MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg

Schedule

Semifinals

February 18

EWE Baskets Oldenburg vs. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg at 16:00 CET FC Bayern Munich vs. ALBA Berlin at 19:30 CET

Final

February 19 at 15:00 CET

Two semifinal duels at eye level

Oldenburg vs. Ludwigsburg

While Ludwigsburg strolled into the Final Four with a blowout win in Crailsheim, Oldenburg had to show everything they had in their matchup against Heidelberg in the quarterfinals.

Dewayne Russell was outstanding for Oldenburg with 28 points, and the clash in the semifinals will now be enormously exciting.

While Oldenburg continues to strengthen steadily, Ludwigsburg has made some roster adjustments. Among other things, Isaiah Whitehead is no longer part of the team for several weeks.

In the end, the details will decide in this game, coupled with the energy level, which team brings it better from the start on the parquet.

Bayern vs. ALBA

The German classic between Berlin and Bayern has been a must-win Cup final in the last 10 years. But this year, the two already meet in the semifinals.

Nevertheless, it can be argued that this is probably the early final because both teams, on paper, are individually superior to the other semifinalists.

Nevertheless, the Bavarians have also already lost to Ludwigsburg, which is why the saying "the cup has its own laws" is once again to be taken seriously.

In the direct duel between the two EuroLeague teams, one win is on the cards in each case. Berlin won in Munich in the game in the domestic BBL, and Bayern won away in the EuroLeague in Berlin.

Credit IMAGO/Passion2Press - Scanpix

While the Berliners are a well-rehearsed team, Bayern enormously struggle with injury problems. Although some players returned to the court (Andreas Obst returned against Partizan after a two-month injury layoff), three key players - Othello Hunter, Vladimir Lucic, Zan Mark Sisko, and Cassius Winston - are still out.

It will be a high-class game because when it comes to trophies, every professional athlete is extra motivated. So you can expect a basketball thriller.

Talking points

As every year, each of the final four participants could be considered as a candidate for the tournament. Unsurprisingly, there were discussions when Oldenburg received the nod as host instead of Bayern.

ALBA already hosted the Final Four last year and therefore was not eligible to apply this year. Nevertheless, the Bavarians were certainly slightly sad that they must go on the road again with the demanding EuroLeague schedule.

Nevertheless, Oldenburg had the most attractive and best all-around package, starting with a great arena (6000) and finishing with a euphoric audience of a basketball-mad city.

Throwback to last year

Last year, the defending champions, ALBA Berlin, had almost a stroll in the park. Both in the semifinals against Chemnitz and in the final against Crailsheim.

The Berliners will certainly not have it too easy this year. On the one hand, the Bavarians will be out for revenge in the semifinals after the last defeats. On the other hand, an enormously energetic and aggressive opponent will be waiting in the potential final with Oldenburg or Ludwigsburg.

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