In the final of the Cup Top 4, the women from Alba Berlin caused a surprise and won the DBBL Cup for the first time. The Berliners won 67:62 (28:28, 56:56) against the favorites Rutronik Stars Keltern.
Alba Berlin won the final of the DBBL Cup against Rutronik Stars Keltern with 67:62 (28:28, 56:56). The Berlin women kept up right from the start and did not allow themselves to be put under pressure by the superior phases of the champions from Keltern. The crucial piece of the puzzle: defense.
Alba without shyness
Alba Berlin went into the game against the favorites from Keltern in a disciplined manner. The Berliners came up with good combinations and didn’t let the champions move away – on the contrary.
Marie Bertholdt in particular stood out with several good actions and played a major role in Alba’s 17:14 lead after the first quarter. The reward: standing ovations from many of the almost 2,300 fans in Berlin’s Sömmeringhalle.
Defensive work in focus
Alba continued to do a good job of keeping her opponents out of the zone. And the physical game of the Berliners also worked. After Keltern coach Matea Tavic took a break, the defensive intensity of the favorites increased significantly, but little was done offensively.
After a long period without points, a three-pointer from Nina Rosemeyer made the Berlin spectators cheer. Keltern had a hard time – the ease and the necessary luck were missing. The first half, which was dominated by defense, ended with a score of 28:28.
Pressing shows a different face
At the start of the second half, Alba suddenly showed some insecurities and was quickly four points behind. Coach Cristo Cabrera called a time-out after just one minute. Pressing was now better in the game and the processes seemed more fluid.
The champions pulled away with a temporary eight-point lead. Stephanie Kostowicz and Alexandra Wilke in particular presented Alba with many problems. And yet: the Berliners stabilized again. The deficit after the third quarter: only 43:44.
Alba forces Keltern into overtime
Then the favorites got serious: the basketball players from Keltern had answers to everything and pulled away early in the fourth quarter. Game over? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! Three minutes before the end, the Sömmeringhalle shook when Lena Gohlisch – after a strong defensive phase from Berlin – equalized with a three-pointer (54:54).
It was getting really tight now. Keltern was leading by one point until seconds before the end, but Alba was able to catch up – it went into overtime.
Fought for the first cup win
What continued throughout the game: Keltern didn’t hit threes. Nothing changed in extra time. And Matea Tavic’s team also showed nerves in the ongoing game. One or two misunderstandings played into Alba’s hands – and the sixth-placed team in the league stayed cool. With a deserved 67:62 victory, Alba Berlin won their first cup title.
“This is incredible”
Alba player Tessa Stammberger was overjoyed with the outcome of this game “with so many ups and downs,” as she summed up: “It’s just amazing how our team stayed together.”
Manager Svenja Brunckhorst was similarly happy – and almost sounded a bit surprised: “It wasn’t really our game, but the way the team came back in overtime, took the crowd with them and brought this thing home in history – that’s unbelievable.”
For Keltern it was the first defeat in a national competition in 22 games.
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, March 1, 2026, 6:45 p.m
