At Alba Berlin, the relief after the 82:70 victory on Sunday in the Basketball Bundesliga in Würzburg was huge. For the Berliners it was the first victory after the two-week Corona break and five defeats in a row. “The circumstances were difficult, so it was particularly important for morale, team chemistry and belief in what you were doing,” said sporting director Himar Ojeda.
Because the tasks of the next few weeks will not be any less demanding. On Wednesday we continue in the Euroleague against Unics Kazan (8 p.m. / Magentasport). And the Russians are seventh in a playoff spot. “They have played very well so far and have unbelievably good players. And above all they will challenge us physically,” warned Ojeda.
That’s why Alba has to conserve his strength. The last week with the away games in Tel Aviv and Munich was quite chaotic. Especially with the return flight from Tel Aviv, which was canceled and led to a small travel odyssey. “When you see how many Euroleague teams then lose in their local leagues after a two-game week, you can see how difficult it is,” said Alba’s sporting director.
That’s why captain Luke Sikma paused against Würzburg, the in-form playmaker Maodo Lo only played almost nine minutes in the last quarter. “They carried the team from the start. We can’t take any risks and we have to give them breaks. There’s no right time anyway,” said Ojeda. After all, the few minutes were enough for Lo, because Alba turned the game with him. “He shook us up a little bit because I think we did it,” said guard Jonas Mattisseck.
