Strongest Alba player: Maodo Lo Photo: dpa/picture-alliance
From BZ/dpa
After winning at Roter Stern, Alba Berlin lost its second Euroleague game in the Serbian capital within a week. Best Berlin pitcher was Maodo Lo with 17 points.
On Thursday evening, the Albatrosses lost 74:88 (44:42) at Partizan Belgrade after a total slump in the third quarter. The German champion remains at the bottom of the table.
Coach Israel Gonzalez had to do without a whole sextet. In addition to long-term absentee Marcus Eriksson, Yovel Zoosman (shoulder), Ben Lammers (ankle), Tim Schneider (knee) as well as Tamir Blatt and Malte Delow (both with the flu) were absent. Nevertheless, the core Berlin team started well and quickly took a 12:5 lead. Towards the end of the first quarter, however, they had problems with the very physical gait of the Serbs.
This is how they fell behind for the first time. But Alba kept a cool head in the heated atmosphere and took back the lead. Now it was a very close and hectic game. However, the Berliners were better able to compensate for the advantages of the hosts under the basket – especially through the 2.21 meter tall Christ Koumadje. The lead lasted until the break.
Partizan then came out of the dressing room much stronger and put a lot of pressure on the Berlin build-up game. The result: a lot of ball losses and a 0:11 run.
The guests literally broke apart in the third quarter, losing this section 9:35. But Alba at least showed morale in the final section. Fought back, but they couldn’t get closer than ten points.