German Basketball League - At Chemnitz games, Alba urges "staying composed".
During the recent match between Alba Berlin and Chemnitz Niners in the German Basketball League semifinals, the Berliners celebrated their first victory, an 86-64 triumph at home. After their disappointing performance in the previous game, they displayed a remarkable resurgence, displaying improved energy and defence, and sticking to their game plan.
The current standings in this best-of-five series are now leveled at 1-1. While the Berliners have two chances to secure a win in the upcoming games in Chemnitz on Sunday (5:00 PM) and Tuesday (6:30 PM/Dyn), one of these encounters must be a win for them to remain in contention. Sports director, Himar Ojeda, anticipates an intense and physical style of play from the Chemnitz team: "We should expect a ramped-up attack. We need to establish ourselves at their level, regardless of the cost."
The second game featured a series of physical altercations and heated arguments regarding the referees. Ojeda anticipates similar exchanges on Sunday: "They will try to incite us, especially one player," he said. Previously, during the Berliners' visit to Saxony at the end of March, their team member, center Khalifa Koumadje, was suspended early in the match.
To ensure a successful run, the team has to maintain composure and avoid responding to questionable referee calls. The previous match saw Alba receiving two technical foul penalties for whistling. "The issue is frustration due to questionable calls. We have to stay grounded, not protest, as this aids not only us but also the referees," explained Ojeda.
