Alba Berlin is not getting into its stride in the Euroleague. In the first home game of the second half of the season, the Berliners lost to Virtus Bologna and so took over the red lantern. FC Bayern, meanwhile, fell to defeat in Milan
The Euroleague remains a red rag for Alba Berlin. The club from the capital lost 68:83 (27:48) to Virtus Bologna on Friday evening and so conceded its 16th defeat in its 19th game of the season – the Albatrosses are now bottom of the league after their fourth defeat in a row and have virtually no chance of making the playoffs.
Alba got off to a lousy start, scoring just nine points in the first quarter and conceding a whopping 26 in return. As it also lost the second and fourth quarters and only won the third period by nine points, there was no shaking the defeat. World champion Johannes Thiemann and Bologna’s Matteo Spagnolo were the game’s top scorers in front of 9589 spectators with 13 points each.
Milan pulls away from Bayern in the final quarter
FC Bayern Munich also had nothing to laugh about, losing their second game in Italy in just a few days. It lost 62:76 (27:34) at Armani Milan under German international Johannes Voigtmann – two days earlier, FCB had already been beaten by Virtus Bologna (83:85).
Only Serge Ibaka (16 points) reached normal form in Milan – not much came together in offense and there was a lack of intensity in defense. Munich did not play a good first half and deservedly trailed at the break. There was a comeback in the third quarter, but it was short-lived. The home side pulled away decisively at the start of the final period with a 20:2 run.
With a record of eight wins and eleven defeats, Bayern would not be enough for a play-off place at present. Voigtmann scored five points for the Italians, while Maodo Lo was ruled out with a thigh injury
Alba Berlin – Virtus Bologna 68:83 (27:48)
Best scorers Alba Berlin: Spagnolo (13), Thiemann (13), Brown (12)
Virtus Bologna: Dunston (12), Shengelia (12), Lundberg (11), Hackett (10)
Spectators: 9589
Armani Milan – Bayern Munich 76:72 (34:27)
Best scorers Armani Milan: Hall (19 points), Bortolani (12), Poythress (10)
Bayern Munich: Ibaka (16), Edwards (10)
