German Basketball League - Alba depends on mindset to face Bayern.
Alba Berlin's players were overjoyed after securing a spot in the Bundesliga final following their 97:84 home victory against Niners Chemnitz. The team's coach, Israel Gonzalez, praised their resilience after dealing with numerous challenges this season. "I'm incredibly proud of this team. We've faced a lot of hurdles this year, but they've proved themselves capable of overcoming any difficulties," he said.
However, the celebration didn't last long as they prepared for their upcoming match against FC Bayern Munich in the Best-of-Five series on Saturday. Guard Malte Delow acknowledged the challenge ahead, "This isn't going to be easy. We've had quite a few games already, while Bayern rested for a week leading up to the final." The odds seemed stacked against Alba, but sports director Himar Ojeda was hopeful. "The situation is tough against us, and we might not be good enough. We'll find out soon enough."
Alba's roster virtually decimated by injuries, including the absence of their talented point guard, managed to beat Chemnitz despite the odds. Even world champion Johannes Thiemann, who battled knee pain throughout the game, contributed 14 crucial points in the second half despite his discomfort. Despite the difficulties, the team persevered, with Delow commenting, "We all did our part. We found a unity, and we came together."
The presence of injury-plagued players and the rush of playing every game seemingly made Alba hungrier for championships. "You learn more from hardships than victories. The fact that we've grown stronger together is way more important than any titles we've managed to snatch in the past," Ojeda shared.
The need for unity and teamwork was evident in Alba's victory over Chemnitz, forcing substitutes and injured players to step up. "Everyone understands that we need to play, there's no room for excuses. It's a bit nerve-wracking, but also reassuring to know that we're willing to fight for our place on the court," Delow added.
This tenacious spirit made them a force to be reckoned with, no matter the circumstances. As Ojeda put it, "It's our instinct to fight, even when things seem overwhelming. We want to carry that into the final."
