Alba Berlin has suffered its third defeat in the Euroleague. The German champions lost on Thursday evening in their own hall in front of 3145 spectators after a weak first half against the Spanish club Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz with 76:80 (29:52).
Surrounded: Albas Louis Olinde is pounded by Wade Baldwin (right) and Rokas Giedraitis.
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The best Berlin throwers were Luke Sikma with 19 and Oscar da Silva with 15 points. Coach Israel Gonzalez had to do without the injured quartet Johannes Thiemann, Christ Koumadje, Ben Lammers and Marcus Eriksson. With Rokas Giedraitis, Simone Fontecchio, Jayson Granger and Landry Nnoko, four former Berliners were in the starting line-up of the Basques. The Berliners made the first points, but it was to remain the last lead.
Alba could not build on the recent good defensive performances. Two days after the fight against Fenerbahce, the team looked tired as the playing time increased. While the guests met many of their litters, little went with the Berliners. Already at the beginning of the second quarter, the gap was double-digit for the first time (17:29). Shortly before the break it was even 24 points.
After the break, Alba was able to improve, now fought for every ball, defended more intensely and hardly allowed the Spaniards easy baskets. So the hosts fought their way back to four points in the last section. Baskonia wavered, but the hosts’ race to catch up was no longer rewarded in the end.
Alba Berlin – Baskonia Vitoria / Spanien 76:80 (29:52)
Best Thrower Alba: squeezing (19), Da Silva (15)
Vitoria: Fontecchio (17), Granger (15), Costello (10)
Viewers: 3145
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