Ratiopharm Ulm and Alba Berlin have delivered a gripping start to the quarter-final series. The Ulm victory was in the end, but deserved.
The game of the preliminary round second against the seventh was exciting for a long time. In the end, Ratiopharm Ulm against Alba Berlin was 94 to 83 ahead.
Alba starts ripped off
Alba Berlin starts strongly and ice -cold – Tim Schneider and William McDowell -White ensure a quick 6-0 lead with two threes. Ulm needs a little longer to get into the game. The basket of Santos to Saraf’s Schönig Pass is also one for the gallery.
Ulm will play defense with a lot of physique in the next few minutes. Berlin hardly comes to open throws. After a good five minutes, the game at 9:10 is balanced from the Ulm perspective. Ulm has the chance to equalize or lead several times until the end of the quarter. But Alba is at the forefront after ten minutes with 27:20. Among other things, because the guests clearly win the rebound duel.
Wrong Freiwilter – Initial spark for Ulm
The second quarter begins turbulent. The referees decide in a rapid attack on an unsportsmanlike foul against Alba. With Justinian Jessup, however, the wrong Ulm player throws the free throws. Ulm’s coach Ty Harrelson then gets a technical foul for complaining. Negotiations on the edge of the field for minutes. The referees remain in their decision: free throw and possession for Alba Berlin. Although they now have the hall completely against them, the guests initially remain cool.
With their strong defense, however, the Ulmer come back. And the first Ulm leadership (35:34) around three minutes before the half -time siren, the arena celebrates almost like winning the championship. The duel between Ulm and Berlin is gripping – and Ulm absorbs the energy of the hall and expands the lead a bit by half -time. The guests look impressed – by Halle and opponents. Halftime score 45:40.
Ulm is expanding the leadership
DEJA -VU in the third quarter – the guests start again with two fast threes (Delow, Schneider). But Ulm is now in playoff mode. After the weak start of the game, the dreaded Ulm offensive basketball gets rolling. Alba swims now – Michael Kessens gets an offensive foul whistled and a technical one because of complaints. At Ulm, the distance is now also falling. Alba now also gets “foul trouble”. Too often, they could only stop the fast Ulm game with a foul. That revenues now. The Ulm leadership (75:62) in front of the final quarter is deserved.
Santos injured – Ulm with will to victory
Alba is extremely unhappy in the last ten minutes. Martin Hermannsson did not have his nerves under control after a foul. He kicks Nelson Weidemann and receives an unsportsmanlike foul. Ulm keeps Alba at a distance. Then Marcio Santos takes care of the game of the game. The Ulm Center collapses with Malte Delow, injured his knee and then limps out of the hall. If he fails for the series, that would be a serious loss for Ratiopharm Ulm. Berlin uses the Ulm shock rigid and comes back into play. However, the team of coach Pedro Calles is no longer able to turn. In the end, Ratiopharm Ulm wins against Alba Berlin with 94 to 83 and leads 1-0 in the series.
Game two on Wednesday in Berlin
The quarter-final series between Ulm and Berlin will continue in the capital next Wednesday. On Saturday next week, both teams meet again on the Danube. The team moves into the semi -finals, which first wins three games.
Prize on Monday, May 19, 2025 6:30 a.m., SWR4 BW Studio Ulm
