German Basketball League - Alba on the brink of a decisive match with Chemnitz: "Stunning"
The Alba Berlin basketball team scored their second victory in the playoff games against the Niners Chemnitz, helping them to get out of a tight situation. Sporting director Himar Ojeda expressed his delight after the team's 96:85 win at the Niners Chemnitz on Tuesday evening. He praised the team's fighting spirit, saying they have always believed in not quitting and continuing to battle no matter what challenges they face.
The series is currently tied at 2-2 ahead of the fifth and decisive game in Berlin. Young player Malte Delow acknowledged that it's not over yet but expects another tough contest. The Berliners are counting heavily on their fans to provide support. "They might be able to make a difference," suggests Ojeda. However, no team in the series has won two games in a row yet. "In this series, you can't predict anything," says Ojeda.
Injury concerns for the Alba team
The win for Alba came at a cost, as world champion Johannes Thiemann and playmaker Martin Hermannsson couldn't continue towards the end of the game. Hermannsson even hobbled to the final whistle, indicating a possible injury. As to Hermannsson's availability for the next match, Ojeda said, "We'll see, but it doesn't look good." If the Icelander is sidelined, then Alba would be left without a proper point guard in their team.
Meanwhile, playmakers Matteo Spagnolo and Ziga Samar have been out injured for some time now. Alba has been struggling with injuries throughout the season. "There was never a point this season when we could say everything is okay," Ojeda complained. If the Berliners are left with only a bare minimum squad for the final game, they will have to "step up to the plate," as Ojeda put it.
