With an outstanding comeback, Alba Berlin secured the German basketball championship. The Berliners were already well behind in the decisive final game in Munich – and then snatched the title away from Munich.
- Alba is German champion 2026
- Comeback after a 20-point deficit
- First championship for Alba since 2022
It was one of those games for which calling it “outstanding” almost seems like an understatement. With 20 points, Alba Berlin was already behind against Bayern Munich in this fifth and decisive final game, made the big comeback and secured the German championship in Munich. In the end, coach Pedro Calles’ team won 84:81 (27:47) – and could celebrate their first championship since 2022.
Mattisseck excels at the beginning
The Berliners got off to a better start. Wide awake and without any sign of nervousness, they established a good offensive rhythm. Jonas Mattisseck sank a three-pointer to make it 10:7 – Alba’s first lead in this game. The 26-year-old stood out from Berlin’s perspective in the early stages and confidently sank his three three-point attempts. Coach Pedro Calles’ team gained a 15:9 lead, which Bayern quickly overtook with an 8:0 run. After Berlin’s wild opening minutes, Bayern’s defense now appeared more solid and confident, but above all more aggressive. And so Alba could and had to worry about the free throws – still one of the biggest weaknesses in game three – keep in the game. After the first quarter, the Berliners were behind 20:25.
Alba-Berlin-Bavaria-finale-bean-bottom
Nothing works together with Alba
But the rhythm was still missing in the Berlin game. After a time-out, Alba immediately lost the ball, and shortly afterwards Norris Agbakoko fouled Andreas Obst while trying to make a three. The national player sank all attempts and Munich’s lead was now in double digits for the first time (30:20). Although Moses Wood managed to show a sign of life with a desperate three-pointer, there was still not much going for the Berliners. Above all, there were too many offensive rebounds that invited Bayern to set the course for the championship early on. Shortly before the break, Michael Rataj got two free throws – and put both on the ring. A symbol of Alba’s game this afternoon. At halftime, FCB led 47:27.
Berlin is fighting back
The Berliners then came out of the dressing room with a lot of energy and Malte Delow showed with a three that Alba hadn’t given up despite the big deficit. Delow and Mattisseck were to shape the first few minutes and thanks to a 19:5 run, Berlin’s deficit was suddenly only in single digits (46:52). But the hosts recovered, sank important shots and built their lead back to 66:53.
Delow puts Alba in the lead
But the back and forth was far from over in this game. And like – with the exception of the second quarter – always at the start of the quarter in this game, it belonged to the Berliners again. With a show of willpower and the necessary ability on their part, the Berliners suddenly managed everything. Malte Delow sank a three-pointer to make it 67:66 – Alba was now leading again for the first time. In a hot final phase, the Berliners were able to maintain their narrow lead for a long time, but had to tremble until the end. With the score at 84:81, Bayern’s Andreas Obst had the chance for a three-pointer, but it didn’t come and when the rebound landed at Alba seconds before the clock expired, the Berliners fell into each other’s arms.
Broadcast: rbb24 Abendschau, June 21, 2026, 7:30 p.m Video: rbb24 Abendschau, June 21, 2026, Leonie Schwarzer
