In the duel between the two biggest arch-rivals in German basketball, Alba Berlin lost to Bayern Munich.
- Alba Berlin loses 79:85 at Bayern Munich
- Bayern are main round champions
- Above all, the high number of ball losses is Alba’s downfall
Alba Berlin lost the top game in the German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) at Bayern Munich 79:85. This means that the Munich team can no longer be pushed out of first place in the main round. Alba’s second place is not yet guaranteed around two weeks before the start of the play-offs, but it is likely. The Berliners’ best throwers were Malte Delow with 15 and Moses Wood with eleven points. Andreas Obst stood out for Bayern with 18 points.
Too many turnovers for Alba
Alba started the game well, had a better rate of two-point shots than Bayern and also had more rebounds on the credit side. The Munich team, on the other hand, hit more threes from the start. At least the first quarter went on a level playing field, which even ended with a one point lead for Alba.
But then the first in the table and favorite from Munich seemed to increase the pace – and pulled away. The Berliners remained ahead in terms of rebounds (25 to 15 at halftime), but otherwise Bayern dominated both offensively and defensively. What is particularly problematic from Alba’s point of view is the high number of turnovers, i.e. ball losses. The Berliners had to give up the game equipment twelve times in their own attack in the first half. A terrible value. And that’s why it’s not surprising that Munich went into the break with a score of 42:37.
Hermannsson turns up the heat
But Alba caught herself. The previously pale to flawed Martin Hermannsson got better and better and made more and more good passes to his teammates. The Berlin team’s really good phase was quickly reflected in the score: Alba led by five points midway through the third period and forced Bayern to call a time-out by legendary coach Svetislav Pesic, who once won the European Cup (1995) and four championship titles (1997-2000) with Alba. The realignment had an effect. The decisive final quarter was 56:56.
Suspense until the end
It initially looked as if Alba could, contrary to expectations, ensure tension until the end. Also because both teams kept making mistakes after mistakes. But then Bayern’s better individual players seemed to be able – and willing – to make the decision. Five minutes before the end of the game, the reigning champions were already seven points ahead. Shortly afterwards even eleven points. But Alba fought back.
Michael Rataj in particular now turned up the heat, won the ball, provided assists and scored himself. With 50 seconds left, Alba was only five points behind, three seconds later only three. Before Munich’s Justinian Jessup came free after good ball movement to make it 83:77. The Berliners tried to respond with a quick three-pointer from Hermannsson. But the Icelander forgave under pressure. The preliminary decision in a game from which Alba will certainly be able to draw a lot of good things, despite all the mistakes.
Broadcast: rbb|24, May 1st, 2026, 8:03 p.m
Video: rbb|24, May 1st, 2026, Jakob Lobach
