After the spectacular comeback against FC Bayern, Alba Berlin has the chance to win the most surprising BBL championship in the club’s history in the fifth final. These five arguments speak for the fulfillment of Berlin’s title dream.
Almost 25 minutes had been played in the fourth final against FC Bayern Basketball on Friday evening when Alba Berlin’s championship dream finally threatened to burst. Alba had to win to prevent Bayern from winning the Basketball Bundesliga title – but they were behind 42:52. What happened next turned the game into the Max-Schmeling filled with ecstasy-Halle one of the most extraordinary in its history. Turned things around with a memorable 26:2 run Alba Berlin the game and won and equalized the series.
The result: The Berliners have the chance to win by far the most unpredictable championship in their club’s history in the all-important game five on Sunday (4:30 p.m., live stream on BR) in Munich. There are many factors that could prevent that – but also good arguments for Alba actually becoming champions. Five of them in detail.
1. The momentum couldn’t be more yellow
The emotional contrast with which the players will go into game five was written on their faces on Friday. On the one hand, the people of Munich: empty eyes, an expression of great bewilderment – first on the bench, then as they shuffle into the locker room. For around 40 hours before game five, they have to ask themselves the unpleasant question of how they could collapse like that in Berlin with one hand on the silver championship trophy.
The Berliners, on the other hand, will spend 40 hours celebrating having freed themselves from a situation on Friday that could hardly have been more tricky. They were celebrated by their fans for minutes after the end of the game on Friday. Their walk into the cabin was proud, their heads held high, their smiles wide. They clearly believe that they can win the title in Munich – knowing full well that that would be more than just a small catastrophe for their Bavarian rivals.
One is on the ground, four help get up Image: IMAGO/Contrast
2. The Berliners are carried by the ultimate team spirit
It is perhaps the most striking difference in this final series: Bayern present themselves as a collection of highly talented individualists. A team that has all the pieces to dominate Alba. The throw of Andi Obst, the rip-off of the eternal Vladimir Lucic, the pace of Nenad Dimitrijev. The list could go on, but there is one thing Bayern seem to be missing: team spirit.
That’s Alba’s biggest trump card. For months, the Berliners around captain Jonas Mattisseck have been emphasizing how much they enjoy playing with each other. We’re talking about numerous dinners together and regular team events of a different kind. This is how what was clearly the weakest Alba squad in recent years became the tightest team since the Aito era.
3. Alba’s development players get help offensively
In terms of sport, the loss of individual class meant that Alba was very dependent on his development players for long stretches of the season: the experienced conductor Martin Hermannsson and the fearless youngster Jack Kayil. Hermannsson scored four points on Friday, Kayil seven. They missed their shots and lost six turnovers. Others had to deliver – and delivered.
Justin Bean scored in double figures for the third time in these Finals, hitting five three-pointers. Malte Delow contributed important points at important moments. J’Wan Roberts dug under the basket and hit all four of his shots. Moses Wood and Sam Griesel cleverly moved into the zone. In other words: Kayil and Hermannsson have to set the rhythm of Alba’s offense in game five with good tact. But you don’t have to carry it alone so that the Berliners can beat FC Bayern.
4. Alba often controls it uncontrollable Andi Fruit
Berlin’s defense will be even more important than Alba’s offense on Sunday. This could still be improved in the final games one to three, but then became Alba’s guarantee of victory in game four on Friday. She held Munich to an unimaginable 16 points in the second half and fueled Alba’s decisive 26-2 run. The Berliners rotated precisely, helped each other reliably and fought physically for positions off the ball. The personification of all of this: Malte Delow.
In his 26th minutes of playing time, the wiry Berliner with the disheveled playoff beard was Alba’s answer to Andi Obst. Delow stuck to the Munich noble thrower just as tightly as his sweat-soaked jersey. He was one of many Berliners diving around every block and hardly fell for any of the otherwise very convincing fruit throwing deceptions. Obst has only hit 27 percent of his threes since game two. He remained scoreless in the second half of game four.
5. Alba has long since proven his penchant for fifth games
Three playoff series, three game fives. It seems as if Alba Berlin couldn’t resist the appeal of this season’s ultimate showdown. Both in Quarterfinals against Vechta as well as in Semi-final against Bamberg The Berliners showed their best performances in game five. The crucial difference to game five in Munich: Alba had the pressure of being the favorite against Vechta and Bamberg.
In Munich this no longer rests on the shoulders of Berliners. They have now fulfilled their target. The final series and the associated home games in the cauldron of the Max Schmeling Hall have already ensured that Alba’s management team will be able to talk about a good season in retrospect from Monday. The only pressure that is now on Alba’s players is the knowledge of the magnitude of the unexpected title opportunity that will be presented to them on Sunday in Munich.
Broadcast: rbb|24, June 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m Audio: rbb|24, June 20, 2026, Jakob Lobach
