Berlin. Alba Berlin manages to win again after six defeats. A three-pointer shortly before the end made it 64:62 against Zalgiris Kaunas.
There was a period when it seemed possible that the time of suffering might be over. The Alba Berlin players suddenly had a certain sense of security, they radiated the conviction that they could defeat their opponents. In the Euroleague, when almost everything seemed a bit too big for the Berlin basketball players so far this season. But not against Zalgiris Kaunas. When Jonas Mattisseck threw the ball into the basket for the first lead six seconds before the end, there was finally certainty. Alba won 64:62 (25:28) and celebrated its second victory in the twelfth Euroleague game.
The Berliners were lucky enough to have an unexpected break at the weekend. Although they missed the BBL classic against Bayern Munich, the southern Germans were unable to leave their city due to the large amount of snow there. But the postponement of the game was not inconvenient for Alba. Coach Israel Gonzalez is missing five injured players and the team was in a difficult phase. This was reflected in six defeats in a row, two of them in the BBL.
Very weak start from Alba Berlin
As sobering as the latest results were, the start against the aggressive Lithuanians was just as depressing. To the cheers of many visiting fans in the Mercedes-Benz Arena, which was filled with 5,566 visitors, Alba did not get into the game. The intensive Defensive from Kaunas left an impression, ball losses and many weak throws resulted in a 4:20 (7th). Only 15 percent of the two-pointers ended up in the basket.
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But Zalgiris’ good odds soon changed. Alba fought her way into the game. A few good threes from Malte Delow and Gabriele Procida helped, as did Johannes Thiemann, who was more involved. Alba acted more confidently, held the ball better, forced the opponent to play more risky games and thus forced many ball losses. The deficit shrank to 25:28 at the break.
Alba Berlin runs behind until almost the end
In the second quarter it became apparent that for the Bottom of the table More could be possible against the play-off candidates than initially assumed. But the gap was not easy to close. Both teams had some difficulties with their shots. Alba put too much next to the basket, Kaunas threw little. So the game remained close. Alba was able to gradually reduce the deficit until Mattisseck finally gave his team the lead for the first time with a three-pointer seconds before the end and at the same time made the final score.
You can find out more about Alba Berlin here.
2023-12-05 21:37:06
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