Alba Berlin leads 2-0 in the best-of-five series. In the third final game of the basketball Bundesliga against Bayern Munich, Alba could celebrate the third championship in a row on Friday (June 17th, 2022) – and that in their own hall.
Bayern, in the Euroleague against FC Barcelona just barely missed the first Final Four participation of a German team in the premier class, is threatened with a season without a trophy. And a summer break with lots of discussions.
Alba’s dominance is impressive
So there is a lot to be said for Alba going for the title. After all, the Berliners have been playing extremely dominantly for weeks and have now won 19 games in a row. In the first two finals against their big rivals from Munich, the capital city also showed an impressive show of power.
Bayern, on the other hand, and that is the impression of the first two finals, are also reaching their physical limits after 82 competitive games so far. In addition, in Darrun Hilliard, Corey Walden and now also Vladmir Lucic three top performers are not available. That’s too much even for Munich.
Alba’s plans: A victory – and then the celebration in Berlin
Alba coach Israel González, on the other hand, who is on the verge of his first championship in his first year as head coach, has plenty to draw from and also has a squad with impressive team chemistry. “It’s just fun, whether in training or in a game”said Alba Center Johannes Thiemann.
The fact that we could win the championship in the third game and then in our own arena would also be a story. It would be the first time in 19 years that Alba would complete a championship in its own hall. In 2020, the title was won at the Corona tournament in Munich, and last year the Berliners also won the decisive victory there.
“As much as I like to celebrate on the train or plane, I would be happy if we could celebrate a bit in Berlin immediately afterwards”, said Thiemann. His wish, that’s not a particularly daring thesis, could come true.
“Don’t go to Berlin without hope”
The Bavarians really only have the principle of hope. But maybe there is a chance for Munich. At least that’s how coach Andrea Trinchieri sees it. “Everything will be ready in Berlin to lift the trophy”said Trinchieri. “The motto for game three is: never give up the fight, never.”
A small glimmer of hope: In the Euroleague and in the Bundesliga main round, Bayern managed two victories in Berlin. “As long as we play, we have hope. We don’t go to Berlin without hope.”said captain Nihad Djedovic. “It’s nothing new to win in Berlin, we’ve done it a few times before.”
But the statistics speak against Bayern. Only once did a team manage to turn a 0-2 draw into a 3-2 draw in a series of finals: Bayreuth versus Leverkusen in 1989.