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Crailsheim's Trae Bell-Haynes (right) was unstoppable against Bayern
Photo: Eduard Martin / imago images / Jan Huebner
Bayern Munich lost the top game of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL).
In the chase duel, coach Andrea Trinchieri's team lost to the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim 103: 105 (46:44) in extra time.
Crailsheim regained the second place of the five-time champions with the victory.
The Merlins emerged from a school club on January 31, 1986, and the club celebrated its anniversary on Twitter before the game.
It is the first win against Bayern in Crailsheim's club history.
The Merlins were promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2014, and after a temporary relegation they returned in 2017.
As unusual as the story of the Merlins is, it is not unique: Rasta Vechta, among others, was also founded from a basketball club in 1979 at a Vechta high school.
Read the full story here.
Soaring through Bell-Haynes
Crailsheim's soaring is mainly due to Trae Bell-Haynes.
The Canadian had come to Crailsheim from Finland before the season and is considered one of the best point guards in the league.
Bell-Haynes was the most successful thrower against Bayern with 31 points.
He also excelled with eleven assists.
A second before the end of extra time, Bell-Haynes made the decision.
Crailsheim had already looked like the winner in the regular season, but Bayern professional JaJuan Johnson snatched the rebound after a free throw by his team-mate Dennis Seeley and forced overtime with a lay-up.
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Outstanding player in Crailsheim: Trae Bell-Haynes
Photo: Markus Fischer / imago images / Passion2Press
Bayern looked tired after playing in the Europa League twice during the week.
"In the end we just ran out of energy and players," said coach Trinchieri.
"We have six injured and have to see that they come back soon, because it is very difficult to play every other day and to be competitive."
The game was overshadowed by a knee injury to Crailsheim's Tim Coleman, which caused a minute-long interruption.
The 26-year-old had to be transported on a stretcher.
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hba / dpa / sid