Jaleen Smith was the best Berlin pitcher with 15 points Photo: City Press GmbH
By Nicolas Sowa
Alba Berlin has suffered its ninth defeat in a row in the basketball Euroleague. The weakened Berliners had no chance against leaders Fenerbahce Istanbul on Thursday evening in their own hall in front of 13,166 spectators and lost 75:104 (35:54).
With only three wins from twelve games, Alba remains in the table basement. The best Berlin throwers were Jaleen Smith with 15, as well as Ben Lammers and Maodo Lo with twelve points each.
Maodo Lo (middle) contributed 12 points and was the second best thrower Photo: City Press GmbH
Coach Israel Gonzalez had to do without Louis Olinde, Christ Koumadje and Gabriele Procida, who were all ill at short notice, which again weakened Berlin’s staffing levels. It was also the fourth game in just eight days for the Berliners.
And Alba didn’t get into the game at first. Cheered on by numerous Fenerbahce supporters, the guests initially had an easy game. After less than five minutes, Alba was already two digits behind (5:15).
The Fenerbahce fans had the Mercedes-Benz Arena firmly in their hands Photo: City Press GmbH
At the beginning of the second quarter, however, the hosts got into the game better – especially in defence. They came back to within three points (27:30). But Fenerbahce played his physical advantages under the basket ice cold and pulled away again. The deficit at the break was already 19 points.
And after the change of sides, frustrated Berliner faces began to pile up. Because at Alba there was hardly a basket, only a few succeeded. The guests, on the other hand, literally played themselves into a frenzy, almost every throw ended up in the basket.
The Berliners fell apart completely in the third quarter. The final siren redeemed overwhelmed Berliners at the end.