From BZ/dpa
It’s almost a luxury that Alba can arrive well rested for his next game in the Euroleague. After a four-day break, the Berliners play against the top Lithuanian team Zalgiris Kaunas on Friday (7 p.m.).
“This time is important to train and the battered players can recover,” said the coach Israel Gonzalez.
Jaleen Smith (left / here against Bayern’s Jaramaz) is back after recovering from injury Photo: Moritz Eden/City Press
Next to Jaleen Smith National player Johannes Thiemann also celebrated his comeback in Rostock on Sunday after a two-week injury break. The 28-year-old is happy that he doesn’t have to start from zero to one hundred with the currently more pleasant game plan. “Of course it’s very helpful when you can find your rhythm again in training. It’s easier to come back with almost no pressure,” he said.
Still, the break did him good. “It helped a bit to cure the ailments from the European Championship. It was a lot of stress and that’s why the knee reacted the way it did. But now I feel a lot better,” he said.
Alba coach Israel Gonzalez is still without Maodo Lo Photo: City Press
Things are not looking so good for his national team colleague Maodo Lo. The point guard returned to training on Tuesday but complained of foot pain. “We have to look at it from day to day. I hope he can help the team again,” Gonzalez said. However, his appearance on Friday is very questionable.
After the last two defeats in the premier class, Alba wants to get back on the road to success. While Kaunas finished bottom of the table last season, the Berliners are expecting a stronger opponent this season. “They play a lot more physically. And it’s always difficult to play there,” warned Thiemann.