![The two Alba players Jonas Mattisseck (left) and Michael Rataj hug each other [Quelle: IMAGO / camera4+]](https://taketonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Basketball-Bundesliga-Alba-Berlin-before-summit-in-Munich.jpg "alba-berlin-jonas-mattisseck-michael-rataj | IMAGO / camera4+")
When Alba Berlin visits Bayern Munich in the Basketball Bundesliga on Friday evening, the first will welcome the second. Both teams are on a roll – and Alba has a new “big man” who has quickly found his feet in Berlin.
- Alba Berlin is Friday (6 p.m., in rbb|24 live stream) is a guest at Bayern Munich
- Top game of the Basketball Bundesliga between first and second
- Alba travels to Munich with a winning streak and new signing Michael Rataj
First against second – you can’t get more top game than that. On Friday evening (6 p.m., in the live stream on rbb24.de). Alba Berlin in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) at Primus Bayern Munich.
The Berliners have recently won four games in a row in the BBL, three of them away from home – and so coach Pedro Calles’ team in the Bavarian capital will do everything in their power to annoy the favorites and reigning champions. But FCB has also been in top form recently, winning its last five games in the league.
Both teams in top form
Given the current condition of both teams, some basketball fans might have memories of hot duels and title fights between Alba and Bayern in recent years.
Michael Rataj, on the other hand, is about to make his first appearance in the Munich Arena – at least in the Alba jersey. Just two weeks ago, the Berliners signed the 22-year-old, who had previously completed his fourth and final season at college in the USA (Baylor University; from 2022/23 to 2024/25: Oregon State University).
“After that, the call quickly came that there was the possibility of playing for Alba. I thought to myself: That’s a great opportunity,” said the trained winger, who, with his height of 2.04 meters, will primarily be used as a center at Alba, on Tuesday after a public training session in the Sömmeringhalle.
“I think the way Pedro coaches the team and the way he plays basketball is very appealing. It also suits my style of play. So it was an easy decision for me to come here.”
With the transfer of the Augsburg native, who has since played for FCB as a youth team, Alba responded to the termination of the contract with “big man” Martynas Echodas. “Michael is a player with an exciting profile and a lot of potential. We want to give him the chance to prove himself at BBL level,” said Alba sports director Himar Ojeda, explaining the commitment.
New signing Rataj: “The boys are easy on me”
His position is secondary anyway, the team comes first, says Rataj. “I play hard and try to give the team what they need – especially defensively and when rebounding,” said the former German junior international. “There’s not a lot of pressure. The boys are all easy on me and our coach doesn’t put any pressure on me either.”
The newcomer has already played his first three games in the Alba jersey in the past few days. He found that he “got used to the BBL quickly and well.” The summit meeting in Munich is now approaching.
Will Rataj stay in Berlin longer? “When the currywurst tastes very good”
It is unclear whether he will stay in Berlin beyond the upcoming playoffs. “I want to keep different options open,” says Rataj. “I’m going to try to go back to America and get into the NBA. That’s why I’ve tentatively signed a contract here until the end of the season.”
But there is still a small, culinary-related hope for all Alba fans. A longer stay in the capital is anything but impossible: “If the currywurst tastes very good.”
Broadcast: rbb|24, April 30, 2026, 8:30 a.m
Video: rbb|24, April 30, 2026, Torsten Michels
