Alba Berlin is currently experiencing very unusual days. Because in contrast to the previous season, the basketball Bundesliga team is having a relaxed time with only one game this week.
“It is really unusual and real luxury. But you accept that gratefully,” said national player Johannes Thiemann. On Thursday, the Berliners will play the Euroleague at home against the Lithuanian champions Zalgiris Kaunas (8 p.m. / Magentasport). A week later, Olympiacos Piraeus is our guest.
Although Kaunas is currently bottom of the table, it has been on the upswing recently with three wins in a row in the premier class. “They have improved, they have a lot of energy and now they have confidence,” warned coach Israel González. But Alba can also compete with a broad chest after seven competitive wins in a row.
There will then be a reunion with long-time Alba captain Niels Giffey. There will certainly be a small round to see you again. “We’ll do that spontaneously, they will certainly stay overnight,” said Thiemann.
Some failures at Alba
González will continue to be without injured Marcus Eriksson, Louis Olinde and Yovel Zoosman. “At Eriksson we have to look from day to day, but it looks like it could take longer. Olinde will need three more weeks,” said the Alba coach. Zoosman could be back at least against Piraeus.
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After the suspension of the three Russian teams CSKA Moscow, Zenit St. Petersburg and Unics Kazan from the Euroleague, three playoff places suddenly became vacant. Possibly Alba could benefit from that and have another chance.
However, the procedure has not yet been clarified, which is why the Berliners, currently in 14th place, are not wasting any thought on this possibility. “That’s secondary at first,” said Thiemann.