Alba Berlin finally got its first win of the new Euroleague season – and that at the reunion with Maodo Lo, of all people.
The Berliners were not really considered favorites against the co-favorites Armani Milan around world champion Johannes Voigtmann and ex-Alba pro Maodo Lo, especially since they were still completely winless in the current round – the two world champions nevertheless received warm applause from the spectators in Berlin.
But that was all, because the Albatrosse, with center Khalifa Koumadje returning from injury, knew how to surprise and won after a passionate performance with 85:82 (35:37). Johannes Thiemann not only led the team as captain, he was also Alba’s top scorer in the Arena am Ostbahnhof with 22 points. In addition, Sterling Brown finished with 18 points for coach Israel Gonzalez’s team.
Lo and Voigtmann as invigorating elements
Lo, who only moved to Milan from Berlin in the summer, made his Euroleague debut for Milan after suffering a thigh injury. He came off the bench and ended up notching seven points. Like Lo, Voigtmann was also not in the starting five, as expected Nikola Mirotic was preferred as center – both came midway through the first quarter and also proved to be invigorating elements.
Overall, however, both sides missed many throws, so that there were only few points to see in the first half. After the change of ends, the Italians pulled away to 52:40, but the hosts countered. With 24 seconds left, Brown put Alba back in front 84-82 – and that was enough for victory. Milan’s top transfer Mirotic was the top scorer on the floor with 30 points – but that didn’t help the Italians in the end.
With fresh self-confidence Alba Berlin should now go into the next task, on Monday (18.30 clock) it goes to BG Göttingen in the Bundesliga.
Alba Berlin – Armani Milan 85:82 (35:37)
Best scorers Alba Berlin: Thiemann (22 points), Brown (18), Olinde (12), Thomas (12)
Armani Milan: Mirotic (30), Shields (25)
