No break for Alba Berlin: “Program is grueling”
A ball lies on the field before the start of the game.
Photo: dpa
Berlin. The German basketball champion Alba Berlin continues to struggle with the tight program. There are no longer simple games for the capital city dwellers under the high loads. Even with the arduous 86:70 win against the Bundesliga penultimate Rasta Vechta on Sunday, the team had to tremble for a long time. “This program is grueling. Some are really flat,” said manager Marco Baldi.
For weeks now, the Berliners have had to play three games a week. This is where the team physically reaches its limits. For Baldi, the after-effects of the corona infections of some players at the end of October are also partly responsible. “Some were just really sick, some less. That is now clearly visible. Some put it away better, others are completely gone,” said Baldi.
The program is also a mental burden. “The other part is how you get concentration and keep it up,” said Baldi. But this time too there is little time. Alba has to compete at the BG Göttingen on Tuesday (8.30 p.m. / Magentasport). “And they’re just finding each other again, that’s going to be tough again,” warned Baldi. In addition, the last two away games were lost there. “And we haven’t forgotten that,” said guard Jonas Mattiseck.
At least Alba doesn’t have to tour Europe this week. The Euroleague game at Bayern Munich follows on Friday. “Of course it’s good not to have to travel that far. Maybe that will give us more regeneration and more energy for the games,” said Mattisseck. Because the focus is clearly on the domestic league. “We know how important the league is for us,” said the Berliner.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210201-99-252965 / 2
.
