On Tuesday, with Alba and Bayern, both German teams were in action in the Euroleague. The Berliners did a really good job in Istanbul and won 66:57, the Munich team had to accept a defeat. Ulm, on the other hand, had no chance in the Eurocup.
Alba Berlin has preserved its chances of reaching the play-offs in the Euroleague. Two days after the tired 64:81 defeat in the Bundesliga against Chemnitz, the severely short-staffed capitals won 66:57 (37:27) at Fenerbahce Istanbul and with the twelfth win in the 26th game keep the connection to the eighth place, which is enough for the play-offs. Yovel Zoosman was the most successful Berlin scorer with 20 points.
Alba had to replace four players in Istanbul. In addition to the long-term injured Marcus Eriksson and Louis Olinde, there were two Corona cases in captain Luke Sikma and Tamir Blatt. The Berliners got off to a bad start and were quickly 0:7 behind. Only after just under three minutes did Ben Lammers score the first points. A total of six ball losses in the first quarter initially prevented the team from catching up, before Zoosman was successful three times on three attempts from the three-point line and Alba went into the quarter break only three points behind at 16:19.
More concentrated than in the first ten minutes, Alba defended better against the hosts and came with a 27:4 run to quick points and a 37:23 lead after 18 minutes. After the change of ends, both teams neutralised each other and only allowed the opponent two points each until the 25th minute. However, two more three-pointers by Zoosman allowed Alba to extend their lead to 44:31 and they went into the last quarter with a ten-point advantage (48:38). The hosts fought back against the threat of defeat with quick points, but Alba held their own until the end in a heated atmosphere.
Bayern lose in Milan
The FC Bayern München basketball team put in a courageous performance at Armani Milan in the Euroleague on Tuesday, but ultimately lost 77-84 (36-33). This was the third defeat in a row for the Bundesliga team in the European Cup. The best Munich scorer was Vladimir Lucic (26 points).
The Bavarians set the tone defensively in the rematch of last year’s play-off quarter-final: After six minutes they had only conceded five points, in the first four minutes of the second quarter Milan did not score at all. The Munich team was not quite as convincing offensively, but still led 36:33 at the break.
In the third quarter, the guests lost their rhythm, after a 14:23 they went into the final period with a six-point deficit. There, the Bavarians were successful again and again from distance and came within one point. But in the final phase, Milan pulled away decisively with a 6:0 run.
Despite the defeat, the Munich team remains in eighth place with a record of 12:12 wins. Behind them is the second German Euroleague representative, Alba Berlin.
Ulm loses clearly without four regular players
Meanwhile, Ratiopharm Ulm suffered a clear home defeat in the Eurocup: On Tuesday, the Bundesliga club lost against the Turkish club Frutti Extra Bursaspor with 72:86 (34:53). Ulm coach Jaka Lakovic had to do without four regular players.
Ulm got off to a 3:16 false start and were already down by double digits after four minutes. While the Swabians had to work hard for their finishes, the guests repeatedly made open throws near the basket and after fast attacks. Thanks to Semaj Christon, Ulm’s best scorer with 20 points, the hosts were able to keep the second quarter even, but were still trailing 34:53 at the break. In the second half, the Ulm team did not come closer than 13 points.
Despite the defeat, the Ulm team had already qualified for the last 16 of the Euro Cup before the game. On 5 April, the Swabians will play their last preliminary round match in Valencia.
Fenerbahce Istanbul – Alba Berlin 57:66 (27:37)
Best scorer for Istanbul: Mahmutoglu (16)
Best scorers for Berlin: Zoosman (20), Smith (14) for Berlin
Armani Milan – Bayern Munich 84:77 (33:36)
Best scorers for Milan: Shields (22), Melli (11), Hall (11)
Best Throwers for Munich: Lucic (26), Jaramaz (14), Hilliard (11).
ratiopharm Ulm – Bursaspor Basketbol 72:86 (15:32)
Best scorers for Ulm: Christon (20), Blossomgame (14), Jallow (12), Bretzel (10)
Best scorers for Bursaspor: Hayes (25), Dudzinski (14), Needham (13), Bitim (12), Andrews (11)
