Alba Berlin is experiencing a challenging season in the BBL and EuroLeague, marked by injuries and poor performance. However, they achieved a remarkable 105:101 overtime victory against Armani Milan, showcasing their resilience despite missing eight key players. Coach Israel Gonzalez praised his team’s effort, while standout Gabriele Procida emphasized the significance of the win. As they prepare to face Bayern Munich, Alba aims to maintain their fighting spirit amid ongoing challenges and a growing injury list.
Alba Berlin’s Season Struggles
This season has been a challenging journey for Alba Berlin, as they face the toughest start in the club’s history in the BBL. Their EuroLeague campaign has also been fraught with difficulties, with losses accumulating and injuries plaguing the roster. Despite these setbacks, the team delivered an astonishing performance against Armani Milan, showcasing their determination and resilience.
A Thrilling Victory Against Armani Milan
In a remarkable turnaround, Alba Berlin has managed to halt their crisis, at least temporarily. Coach Israel Gonzalez faced the daunting task of leading his team without eight key players during a EuroLeague match. Against all odds, they triumphed over the star-studded Armani Milan, featuring ex-NBA player Nikola Mirotic, with a final score of 105:101 after an exhilarating overtime. Post-match, Gonzalez expressed immense pride in his players during an interview with MagentaSport.
Throughout the 45 minutes of action, Gonzalez passionately coached from the sidelines, celebrating each moment and rallying his team. “He led the way and pulled us along,” noted Jonas Mattisseck, a sharpshooter for Alba. Gabriele Procida, who topped the scoring chart with 29 points, shared his love for the team: “When we secured the victory, it was an incredible feeling. I know it’s just one game, but it felt very significant.”
However, the path ahead remains fraught with challenges for Alba. Gonzalez highlighted the need to maintain their fighting spirit to navigate the tough circumstances. The injury list is growing, with Yanni Wetzell, Matt Thomas, Malte Delow, Khalifa Koumadje, and Justin Bean already sidelined. Following their recent success against BBL leaders ratiopharm Ulm, captain Martin Hermannsson, Louis Olinde, and Will McDowell-White have also been added to the injury roster.
Despite facing the worst start in the BBL’s history and securing only one win from eight EuroLeague games, the recent victories have injected fresh energy into the team. “All we can do is play with full effort,” expressed Mattisseck regarding Alba’s approach. “We managed that from the beginning. From halftime, we knew the pressure was on them. Eventually, they will feel the nerves. The crowd was electric, driving us forward. It was an incredible experience.”
Looking ahead, Alba Berlin will face Bayern Munich on Thursday at 8:30 PM (MagentaSport). Trevion Williams, one of four players who scored over 20 points against Milan, remarked, “We showed who we are. We set aside our problems and left everything on the court.” Gonzalez encouraged his team to savor this triumph, but with the next match looming, there’s little time for celebration or recovery.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich is coming off a disappointing defeat, missing out on their sixth consecutive EuroLeague victory. Under the leadership of world champion coach Gordon Herbert, they fell to Fenerbahce Istanbul with a score of 76:87. Despite this setback, Bayern remains in a solid playoff position in the EuroLeague, holding six wins against three losses. The Munich side maintained their focus during the match but struggled to contain Nigel Hayes-Davis, who scored 18 points in the third quarter alone, helping Fenerbahce build a double-digit lead.