Alba Berlin’s appendix is optimistic. Saturday in yellow, Sunday in blue – this is the dress code of the “Block 212” fan club for the cup weekend in Oldenburg. In the semifinals on Saturday (7.30 p.m., free live stream on Magentasport), the defending champion will meet their big rival Bayern Munich, only if they win would the supporters, dressed in blue, see their team in action the following day.
The final against the winner of the first semi-final between hosts Oldenburg and the giants Ludwigsburg will take place on Sunday at 3 p.m. “We come to the top four with 1,000 people and know what it’s about: we want to make it to the final,” says Alba’s manager Marco Baldi. After two cup finals with restrictions due to the pandemic, the large Weser-Ems hall with 6200 spectators is sold out.
In 2020 and 2022, the Berliners won the cup, but each in their own hall. To find the last triumph in a foreign hall, you have to look back to 2016. At that time Alba prevailed against Bayern, in Munich. The rivalry between the two clubs was relatively young but very heated.
Now comes an absolute highlight. It’s going to be full on.
Marco BaldiAlbas Manager
In the meantime, the relationship has relaxed somewhat. Since Alba has been playing in the Euroleague, the dominant teams in German basketball have met more and more each year. Last season there were eight duels across all competitions, and nine in the previous season. Away from the field, apart from small peaks here and there, there are hardly any discordant tones to be heard.
However, the encounters are not something like normality, says Baldi – especially when it comes to a title. “Nothing wears out there,” says Alba’s manager. “Now comes an absolute highlight. It’s going to be full on.’
From his former companion Marko Pesic, who has been pulling the strings in Munich for years, he reaped nothing but approval in a virtual media round. “I can only sign every word Marco says,” says Bayern’s manager.
So far the season has been anything but smooth for both teams. Alba is in last place in the Euroleague and Munich are likely to miss the play-offs in contrast to the past two years. Bayern are also struggling nationally. With six defeats already, Munich will probably be third in the play-offs at best.
At Alba, as the leader of the table and with twelve BBL victories in a row, it looks excellent, at least nationally. “I’m surprised myself how we keep getting out of holes we dug ourselves,” says Baldi.
“Winning the cup could be a catalyst on the way to more conviction.” Whether the ailing or recently ill top performers Maodo Lo, Luke Sikma and Tamir Blatt can play will be decided at short notice. But the people of Munich also have major problems in terms of personnel. Most recently, coach Andrea Trinchieri had to do without Vladimir Lucic, Elias Harris, Corey Walden and Cassius Winston, at least the captain is definitely out in the cup.
Bayern suffered a hearty home defeat against Hamburg on Tuesday. “You can’t read too much into it,” warns Alba’s national player Johannes Thiemann. Despite the negative Munich results, Baldi sees a stability in the opposition that his team lacks.
However, Pesic does not agree with this assessment. The past games with a clear win against Chemnitz and the defeat against Hamburg have again shown the blatant lack of consistency. “We haven’t played a good February so far, but there are no excuses on Saturday. It’s a do-or-die game against Alba,” says Pesic.
To home page
