By Oliver Knack
The Euroleague game against Olympiakos Piraeus was already over after the first quarter. After ten minutes, the Berliners were 13:28 behind. At the end it becomes very clear with 60:93.
Two missed free throws Christ Koumadje, a discarded two by Koumadje, the three by Jaleen Smith does not fall Luke Sikma loses the ball, Louis Olinde does not hit the two. And opposite, Sasha Vezenkov sank a three to make it 7-0 for Olympiakos Piraeus. Thus began Alba’s game against Olympiacos Piraeus, leaders of the Euroleague.
Only after four and a half minutes does Koumadje score the first two points. But it doesn’t really get any better. And so, in front of 8,829 spectators in the home Mercedes-Benz Arena, the Berliners are almost hopelessly behind with 15 points after ten minutes.
A significant image for the game: Alba’s Jaleen Smith on the ground, the ball is gone (Photo by Mathias Renner/City-Press GmbH) Photo: City Press
At the end there are a measly 60 points on the credit side. Alba has never scored less at home in the Euro League. And there were only two fewer points away from home. In January 2022, the Berliners lost 56:62 in Munich, in December 2020 there was a 55:75 bankruptcy in Milan.
Jaleen Smith and Luke Sikma sit by the gang during the game, seemingly at a loss. Coach Israel Gonzalez talks to them (Photo by Mathias Renner/City-Press GmbH) Photo: City Press
Attempts at explanation by the Berliners: “Piraeus is a very strong team, probably the best this year. They manage to play 100 percent intensity for 40 minutes,” said Louis Olinde, admitting: “We deserved to lose. We showed in the first leg that we can play on an equal footing with Piraeus. That didn’t work at all.”
Alba’s coach Israel Gonzalez had to do without playmaker Maodo Lô (angina) in addition to Marcus Eriksson, who was injured for a long time. Jonas Mattisseck was rested. But what Gonzalez saw from his team didn’t please the Spaniard at all: “Congratulations to Olympiakos, they’re having a fantastic season. We couldn’t keep up today. It was a poor performance from my team. We need to recover and do better in the upcoming games.”
Already on Saturday we continue at home (6 p.m.). Then comes Oldenburg. The Lower Saxony are fourth in the league. But in contrast to the Euro League, things are going almost perfectly for Alba in the Bundesliga. 17 games, 16 wins, 1st place. And in Oldenburg, the champions won 89:81.