Basketball Euro League: 68:66 – Alba’s inexperience continues in Athens by – tagesspiegel

02/04/2015 23:39 clock From Marvin Clignon

Thirty minutes it looked as if we should pay Alba at Panathinaikos dues. But then the Berlin narrow victory against a really mature hosts. Well Alba is still missing a win over Tel Aviv to afford History in the Euro League.

12.500 Panathinaikos fans held their breath as Antonis Fotsis distance throw flew through the air. According they had been for forty minutes, but now they were silent: the match-winning throw of Fotsis jumped out only to the ring and from there into the hands of Jamel McLean, Berlin had to keep only the ball tightly. A few seconds later was made a perhaps historic away win for Alba Berlin. By 68:66 (33:40) in Athens, Berlin next week

Fast residue Alba

can ever move in with a home win against Maccabi Tel Aviv as the first German team to the quarter-finals of the Euro League.

For the guests encounter, however, had begun very bad. After two and a half minutes saw head coach Sasa Obradovic forced to take a break. At this time, his team was already with 0: 9 in arrears. Only after just four minutes scored the Berliner their first counter and then came increasingly into the game. Particularly by successful distance casting Alba shortened more and more the distance and walked to the end of the first quarter even with 23:21 lead.

A mixture of nervousness and aggressive defense coined both teams in the next quarter. The resulting challenge whistles and turnovers allowed the meeting to continue acting distracted. Circumstances to which Panathinaikos Athens was able to increasingly better: Seven-point lead earned the hosts at the end of the first half. Although the Greeks did not significantly played better, they drew fouls and sent Alba forced to errors in the attack. “They gave us the lack of experience noted,” said Alba coach Sasa Obradovic.

No help from Istanbul

Alba could not afford a defeat against Panathinaikos, if Galatasaray Istanbul in Tel Aviv had won. For half-time was for the Berlin, however, that they could expect no more shooters help. The Turks had just lost their game against Maccabi at this time.

impact on the game in Athens this had however only partially. Although Panathinaikos Athens still allowed many turnovers and missed shots: Alba always allowed himself a bit more. In addition, the experienced players for the home team, and Dimitris Diamantidis Antonis Fotsis met, always important throws and made for a comfortable lead of nine points.

Redding meets in series

Wenig before the last quarter of Berlin, who had confirmed its position as inexperienced European team to go in thirty minutes. With eight points in series, however, brought Reggie Redding, the actual roles completely messed up. Suddenly Alba drew the decisive fouls, suddenly the Athenians contributed several missed shots in a row.

Four minutes before the end came the guests, led by Alex Renfroe (16 points best scorer in Alba) for the first time in Guided Tour. In the Olympic Hall of Athens is made increasingly wide unrest. The narrow lead could Alba hold until the end, symptomatic of the last game section rejected reckoned of such experienced Antonis Fotsis the decisive shot.

Just one more victory

And even after the sounding final siren had suddenly mature Berlin: They celebrated behave so important victory. For they knew that they still have to win one last time in the next game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.