After three difficult away games, Alba Berlin is now primarily challenged at home – and provided a surprise on Tuesday against Barcelona
The Berliners didn’t really have a chance – but that’s exactly what they did against Barcelona on Tuesday evening. The Albatrosses, led by world champion Johannes Thiemann, surprisingly defeated second-placed and two-time champions FC Barcelona by 74:70 (38:41) and so celebrated a surprising victory in the basement. Alba thus leaves the bottom of the table in the top flight.
The team of Spanish head coach Israel Gonzalez got off to a weak start against Barça, trailing 7:19 early on – and many might have thought that they would not win again. But that was not the case this time. The Berliners pulled themselves together and started to catch up. Alba shone with its control of the game, especially after half-time
Berlin improved after the break
Berlin’s body language was much improved, while the Catalan star ensemble increasingly ran into problems. The German club produced a 9:0 run at the start of the third quarter and suddenly led 47:44. With just under five minutes remaining, it even led by 13 points (70:57). Barcelona then came close again, but was no longer able to turn the tide. Thiemann finished with twelve points and seven rebounds in front of 10,592 spectators, but Berlin’s top scorer was Matt Thomas with 13 points.
With just three wins from 15 games, Berlin still have virtually no chance of reaching the play-offs. However, that is not an issue at the moment anyway, but the pre-Christmas game against Istanbul’s top club Fenerbahce next Friday (8.15 p.m.)
Alba Berlin – FC Barcelona 74:70 (38:41)
Best scorers Alba Berlin: Thomas (13), Thiemann (12), Procida (11), Brown (10), Wetzell (10)
FC Barcelona: Laprovittola (15)
Spectators: 10592
