Despite their supposedly comfortable lead in the semi-final series against FC Bayern, the basketball players of ratiopharm Ulm do not want to waste any thoughts on a possible final. "No one is allowed to dream of anything. It's 2-0 and that's only a partial success," warned Ulm coach Anton Gavel with a view to the third play-off duel with the Munich team on Friday. Then his team could make it to the final with a home win.

After their surprising quarter-final success over champions Alba Berlin, the Ulm team have the next title contender on the verge of defeat. "The players are improving and playing with an enormous amount of energy and verve," said Gavel, who played professionally for FC Bayern between 2014 and 2018, praising his team. "Full concentration on Friday. The last steps are always the hardest," said the coach.

In the second of five possible semi-final games, Ulm continued their impressive playoff run on Tuesday evening. They prevailed over the Bayern Munich team with 93:88 (44:39). They had already surprisingly won the first game with 87:69 in a foreign hall. Despite an 18-point lead in the meantime, the Ulm team had to fight hard against the cup winners in the end before the victory was finally certain. "We just have to keep a clear head. In the end, it was unnecessary from our point of view," complained Ulm player Karim Jallow and announced: "We don't want to let the thing be taken away from us at home".

The outsider from Ulm got off to a brilliant start and was quickly 12:2 ahead. After less than three minutes, Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri took the first time-out – without any positive consequences for his Munich team. Ulm played an almost perfect first quarter and surprised the cup winner with his speed. Also thanks to two successful distance throws by Yago dos Santos, the guests deservedly led 27:20.

Anton Gavel's team was initially unable to maintain its level. The home team defended more consistently and even took the lead briefly after converted free throws by national player Andi Obst. Then Ulm turned up the heat again and Thomas Klepeisz led his team with a buzzer beater to the 44:39 halftime score. Trinchieri raged on the sidelines.

After the change of sides, the Bavarians initially disintegrated completely. Simple ball losses and an extremely holey defense provided Ulm with a lead of 18 points in the meantime. Led by captain Obst, who scored 34 points, the Munich team started a fightback and came within three points. But the pressure phase ultimately came too late, Ulm saved the victory over time. Point guard dos Santos was the most accurate with 21 points.

In the second semi-final series, the Telekom Baskets Bonn and the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg face each other. Bonn had won the opening game on Monday.