It was less than six weeks ago that Israel Gonzalez became very clear in the Alba Berlin training hall. “His reaction was very bad – bad for him and bad for the club’s image,” said Alba’s head coach when asked about Khalifa Koumadje. The 2.21 meter tall center from Chad hit his opponent in the face in the game against Göttingen and was subsequently banned for four games. Alba made a clear statement that such an outburst should not happen again.
Against Chemnitz on Sunday, Koumadje was allowed to play in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) again for the first time, but only for exactly three minutes and 58 seconds. Then there was a scramble in the fight for the rebound and Alba’s center received another disqualifying foul.
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This time, however, the reaction of those responsible in Berlin is completely different. Gonzalez demands that Koumadje be more calm in the event of opposing provocations, but protects his center. “This is the consequence of the last three years,” says Alba’s coach. In the BBL, Koumadje is an exception with his size and physique; many opponents only know how to help themselves with toughness. “He is constantly being pulled and pushed, but because of Khalifa’s size the referees don’t blow the whistle,” says Gonzalez and appeals: “He should be judged the same as everyone else.”
The success in the top game for the Saxons also left a bad aftertaste for Alba’s sports director Himar Ojeda. “This is a sad development and really frustrating. The games are becoming more and more physical. And many fouls are no longer punished. We have to protect the basketball,” said the Spaniard.
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Koumadje’s disqualification particularly bothered him. “It wasn’t a kick. He wanted to get up, but was pushed and his foot just slipped. Even if he of course reacted wrongly in the end, he is a victim of this development,” said Ojeda, which makes a clear difference to the Euroleague, in which 2.20 meter tall centers are more common. “He can play there, but apparently not in the BBL,” said Ojeda. (with dpa)
2024-03-26 12:06:50
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