EWE Baskets wins 2015 Beko BBL Cup

6,000 fans packed the EWE Arena in Oldenburg as EWE Baskets hosted Brose Baskets Bamberg to settle which team would come away with the 2015 BEKO BBL Cup title. It was an epic game between two of the league’s Top 8 teams and the fans were treated to an intense back-and-fourth affair. In the end, the Cup title was determined at the free-throw line, with EWE Baskets’ Philipp Neumann (in photo) sinking one of his charity shots to seal the win for his team. EWE Baskets edged their opponents 72-70. This is the second Bundesliga Cup win for EWE Baskets, with their first trophy being secured back in 2009.

EWE Baskets took the lead in the first quarter, but the favored Brose Baskets came back and doubled up their efforts in the second quarter. At the end of two quarters of basketball action, both teams managed to battle out to a standstill with the score landing at an even 34:34 as they headed to the locker rooms for the halftime break. After the break the game stayed close, when one team would gain a slim lead the other would rally and take command of the scoreboard. With the score hitting 71-70 and less than 10 seconds remaining on the clock, Bamberg fouled Philipp Neumann. He sank the first shot and missed the second, but there was not enough time for Brose Baskets to make another shot to tie up the game or win it with a Hail Mary. The crowd erupted in jubilation.

“It is incredible! I notice a huge sigh of relief. We have increased our fans something back for the energy with which they have carried us through these two games. I can not describe how much I emotionally brings the mess. Just for me as a young player that is difficult for such a success. ” – Philipp Neumann

EWE Baskets was led by American import Casper Ware, who wound up with 13 points. The hero at the line, Philipp Neumann, ended up with 12 points of his own. The visiting Brose Baskets team was paced by Brad Wannamaker’s game-high 19 points. His teammate Janis Strelnieks added 16.