And yes, the name of the German basketball team was FC Bayern Munich (for the uninitiated, FC means "football club"). Apparently, the franchises that own the Real Madrid football team and the Bayern Munich football team have enough money to finance their own respective pro-basketball teams, and I guess nobody thinks it strange that a basketball team has "football" in its name. I'm told that the Madrid soccer players often show up to the basketball games, presumably because their salaries come from the same checkbook. Before you ask if I saw any Real Madrid footballers, let me explain that we were so far up in the nosebleeds that even if Cristiano Ronaldo had shown up, I wouldn't have known him from Fuliano (that's the Spanish version of John Doe).
Needless to say, I would have rather gone to a Madrid vs. Munich football game, but the basketball game was actually quite fun and, more importantly, quite affordable. For a mere eight euros (just shy of eleven bucks), we got to see a quality professional basketball game. And yes, pro basketball over here isn't all that bad.
Of course, the Euro style of play is a bit different than what you see in the States. There's a lot less razzle-dazzle and a lot more outside shooting. But boy, can those guys shoot! They're absolutely lights-out anywhere further than, say, six feet from the basket. The funny thing is that both teams were pretty weak inside the post, but it didn't seem that important. There were also very few dunks; I think each team had one apiece. Even on fast breaks, players would chose a simple layup over a flashy slam every time.
Despite the differences, Euro basketball was more enjoyable than I thought it would be, albeit more for the snappy passes and sharp shooting than for the awesome highlight-reel plays we have in the States. And the fans loved it as well. The singing and chanting in unison that happens at European football games felt a little bit incongruous at a basketball game, but I guess old habits die hard. Now if only I could get in to see a real Real game...
Needless to say, I would have rather gone to a Madrid vs. Munich football game, but the basketball game was actually quite fun and, more importantly, quite affordable. For a mere eight euros (just shy of eleven bucks), we got to see a quality professional basketball game. And yes, pro basketball over here isn't all that bad.
Of course, the Euro style of play is a bit different than what you see in the States. There's a lot less razzle-dazzle and a lot more outside shooting. But boy, can those guys shoot! They're absolutely lights-out anywhere further than, say, six feet from the basket. The funny thing is that both teams were pretty weak inside the post, but it didn't seem that important. There were also very few dunks; I think each team had one apiece. Even on fast breaks, players would chose a simple layup over a flashy slam every time.
Despite the differences, Euro basketball was more enjoyable than I thought it would be, albeit more for the snappy passes and sharp shooting than for the awesome highlight-reel plays we have in the States. And the fans loved it as well. The singing and chanting in unison that happens at European football games felt a little bit incongruous at a basketball game, but I guess old habits die hard. Now if only I could get in to see a real Real game...
In Europe they teach kids to shoot and pass, in America they play on the playground and dream of being in the Sports Center highlights. Nice to know both create watchable games.
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