Alba Berlin has won the first final game against long-time rival Bayern Munich in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). However, residents of the capital still do not see themselves as clear favourites.
Alba Berlin mastered the first big challenge against Bayern Munich with mental strength.
“There’s always a lot of pressure in the first game. And the hardest thing against Bayern is trying to play your game and staying calm. They’re the most experienced team and the toughest team,” said Alba manager Marco Baldi after the 86:73 home win against the permanent rival.
Because it was precisely this callousness that disrupted the rhythm of Berliners for a long time. “They are very, very clever and well rested. They know when to take time out. One falls over, one ties his shoes, the coach complains. There’s always something.”said Baldi and added: “It’s very, very difficult to stay on top of things and keep a cool head. But we managed to do that today.”
Threesome Festival
The game was very balanced for a long time. Both teams fought a three-way festival for almost the entire game. That surprised even the experienced 60-year-old Alba manager. “There were amazing shooting rates on both sides. That was rather unusual for a final of this intensity”, said Baldy.
Only in the final phase was the defending champion able to pull away. The Berliners then seemed much fresher and more alert. They had already ended their semi-final series against Ludwigsburg last Friday and therefore had a whole week to prepare.
Bayern, on the other hand, had to play again less than 48 hours after their semifinals. “Of course it was still in their bones. That was maybe a few extra grains for us,” said winger Louis Olinde.
18 Alba wins in a row
But the Berliners did not want to see this as the decisive reason. “They are all well-trained professionals. And especially in a final everything is mobilized again”said Baldi. He saw the difference in the different styles of play: “We are lighter on our feet and our playing system is lighter”And Olinde added: “In the end, the will decides in the finals anyway.”
Alba now leads 1-0 in the best-of-five series. “But nothing more”, said the Alba manager. The advantage now lies with the defending champion, who has now won 18 games in a row. “We have the confidence and know what we can do”, said Olinde. However, the Berliners still do not see themselves as clear favorites before the second game on Tuesday in Munich (7 p.m.).
Even if Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri had declared the Berliners to be just such before the final. “I always find these discussions a bit boring. All these background noises are completely unimportant,” said Baldy. The Munich team also tried such games before the semifinals against Bonn. The astonished Baldi: “If I were Bayern and I would call Bonn my favourite. To be honest, I don’t see a ‘mia san mia’ there.”