Martin Hermannsson leads Alba Berlin into the semi-finals: The Renaissance of Benjamin Button

However, this only lasted a few seconds, as Pedro Calles Hermannsson came on again in the next attack. In this outstanding form, Alba’s coach would have preferred to leave his most experienced man on the field for 40 minutes without a break. “We are a young team with a lot of energy, so we need his experience. In the last two games, Martin has shown how important his leadership is,” said Calles after the 98:89 on Wednesday evening.

Hermannsson, now 31 years old, is currently experiencing a remarkable renaissance at Alba. From 2018 to 2020 he developed into a sought-after Euroleague player in Berlin, but after his transfer to Valencia he seriously injured his knee. His career stalled; for years he worked more in rehab than on the floor.

In January 2024, Hermannsson returned to Alba. Since then he has been spared any serious injuries, but there have been repeated problems. Sometimes it was the muscles, sometimes the Achilles tendon. The Icelander was rarely the outstanding player he had been in his younger years.

Hermannsson also missed almost two months this season with a thumb injury and only made his comeback at the end of March. He has now regained confidence in his body – and it shows on the field.

He plays with a certainty, control and naturalness that has not been seen for a long time. The fact that Alba fought its way into the semi-finals after being 2-1 down against Vechta would not have been possible without Hermannsson.

Get out of your comfort zone

“I’m having a lot of fun this season,” says the Icelander and, with his usual quick wit, explains the secret of his second spring: “I’m like Benjamin Button, I’m getting younger.”

However, the changed playing style also benefits him. After Calles took over late in the season a little over a year ago and had little opportunity for tactical adjustments, Alba’s basketball now looks different. “We put pressure all over the field, I should go for the offensive rebound. I had never done that in my career,” said Hermannsson. “I needed to get out of my comfort zone after three or four years in which I was rarely healthy.”

Many fans and experts would never have expected that he would take on such a key role at Alba again last summer. On the one hand, because of his many injuries. On the other hand, because many people doubted that he would even stay in Berlin.

Alba had decided to move to the Champions League after years in the Euroleague and there were reports that Hermannsson would have liked to stay in the top continental competition. The fact that Calles made Jonas Mattisseck captain in his place during preparation supported this interpretation.

Sports director Himar Ojeda, however, tells a completely different version of what happened. During a one-on-one conversation about the prospects of the player and team, Hermannsson said that he was very grateful to Alba. “He wanted to give back and not leave after a bad year,” Ojeda said. “Now he gives back. Not just every day in training, but on the field, where he shines.”

The contract expires

From Saturday (4.30 p.m., Max-Schmeling-Halle) Alba will face the Bamberg Baskets in the semi-finals, who sailed through the first play-off round against last year’s finalists with the momentum of ten wins in a row. “Bamberg are cup winners and have the momentum. We’re going into the semi-finals as underdogs,” says Hermannsson, unusually reserved. “But it will be good for us.”

What happens next is still unclear. “I’m very happy here,” says the Icelander, but his contract expires at the end of the season. “Both sides would like to continue together,” says Ojeda. “That doesn’t mean it will happen in the end, but it’s a good sign.”