In contrast to the bitter defeat in Milan, Alba is on an equal footing in France. Malte Delow even gave away the possible away win shortly before the end.
Alba Berlin has suffered its ninth defeat in a row in the Basketball Euroleague. The Bundesliga team lost to French top team Asvel Villeurbanne after overtime with 89:96 (40:50, 85:85). With only three wins in 22 games, Alba remains at the bottom of the league. The best Berlin scorers were Matt Thomas with 20 and Martin Hermannsson with 13 points.
The game started evenly enough, but Berlin ran into problems when Villeurbanne stepped up the pace. Gaps repeatedly opened up in the visitors’ defense and they often lost the rebounding battle. The home side were able to open up a gap for the first time by the end of the first period.
Alba fight back
Alba got off to a better start after the break and even took the lead for the first time with just under six minutes remaining (74:72). It remained tight right to the end. Malte Delow equalized with a three with seven seconds left on the clock (85:85), but then missed a free throw that would have given his side the win. The home side had the better nerves in extra time.
