Alba Berlin in the Euroleague against Milan: A cracking response to the crisis

They didn’t celebrate the championship or any other important title on Tuesday evening in the arena at Berlin’s Ostbahnhof, but it almost seemed like it. Then the coach Israel González waved his fists at the audience like a torero, there were long guys in each other’s arms, and the most loyal of the faithful in the stands touched their cheeks in disbelief. This 105:101 win after overtime against Olimpia Milan in the Euroleague had something to do with identity; it warmed feelings in the capital after the rough start to the season.

As is well known, Alba’s motto is “with body and soul,” and if you followed the events of only the second success (with seven defeats) of this season on the European stage, you could have added: with the arrogance of youth and the art of perseverance. He was simply “proud” of his boys, Coach González repeated at Magentasport every minute afterwards. They needed such a dramatic response to the crisis in Berlin, because some things had hurt a lot recently.

Once again, we finished last in the Euroleague, and only tenth in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) – and on top of that, half the team was injured or otherwise prevented from playing. Alba stumbled at the end. Only the success against the Ulm team, who arrived as BBL leaders, on Saturday gave a little boost. And sometimes one evening is enough to learn to fly properly again. After the long-term absences of regular players Yanni Wetzell, Matt Thomas, Malte Delow, Khalifa Koumadje and Justin Bean, González had to accept that captain Martin Hermannsson, Louis Olinde and Will McDowell-White also sat out. Professionals who are hard to replace. Except at Alba, where they have made improvisation the core of their brand over the past few decades.

González himself had set the tone for defiance with an unusually emotional appearance on the sidelines. “He led the way and pulled us along,” explained Berlin-born Jonas Mattisseck on the TV microphone, who played his best game ever in the Euroleague: 21 points, including five three-pointers. “To get through the situation, the only way is to keep that spirit,” explained González regarding the surrounding circumstances.

Several ex-NBA professionals play at Milan, while youngsters Anton Nufer, Amon Dörries and Elias Rapieque play at Alba

It was only possible against the elite Italians (with ex-NBA professionals Nikola Mirotic, Leandro Bolmaro and Nico Mannion) with a performance from the bottom of their hearts. The young Italian Gabriele Procida also showed this against his compatriots, who scored 29 points: “I love this team, I love these boys,” said the 22-year-old, describing the solidarity that several young players also ensured this time. Names like Anton Nufer, 18, Amon Dörries, 18, or Elias Rapieque, 20, represent the “Alba way” of continually developing professionals from within their own ranks.

“We fought hard with all the young players. Great game in a crazy atmosphere,” said Procida happily. In the end, a curious fact remained: Shortly before the end of the regular season, Alba had already had the chance to win in a last attack, director Matteo Spagnolo had failed with a three-pointer – while Milan coach Ettore Messina, confident of victory, went to shake hands with his colleague González. He thought his team had won because of the missed throw, but the score was 92:92. Classic case of being happy too soon. At Alba, on the other hand, they are now looking forward to their next chance in the Euroleague: the German duel with FC Bayern will take place in Munich on Thursday.