This evening was one to forget…
BBL runner-up Alba Berlin missed its second win in its sixth appearance in the Euroleague, losing to Paris Basketball 83:92. And thus remains last in Europe’s premier class.
Excitement even before tip-off: Around an hour before the start, it was announced that Alba had suspended its scandal professional Khalifa Koumadje (28) until further notice. There are allegations of violence against him.
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Which: DYN26.10.2024
But that’s not all: practically from the start of the game, the Berliners announced on X that they would have to be without Yanni Wetzell (28/capsule injury in the thumb) for at least another two weeks.
Alba star with double-double in the first half
Alba with a defiant start, shocked Paris 26:16 in the first quarter – led by the outstanding Justin Bean (7 points, 6 rebounds), who completed his double-double before halftime (10 points, 11 rebounds at the break).
The home team temporarily pulled away to +15 in the second quarter, but Paris fought back. Halftime score: 44:37.
Photo: IMAGE
It is a special game for world champion Maodo Lô (31/moved from Milan to Paris in the summer), who is celebrating his return to his former club in his hometown. But his former colleagues didn’t want to give him anything. Alba star Tim Schneider (27) before the game at Magenta: “I’m very happy to see Maodo again, but I’m not sad about sending him home with a defeat.” But that doesn’t work.
In any case: Paris, only founded at the end of 2017, comes with a selection of ex-BBL professionals. Led by star playmaker TJ Shorts, there are six ex-Bonners in the squad that won the Euro Cup last year and thus gave the Parisians their first Euroleague participation.
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Alba comes out of the locker room catastrophically, concedes a 0:10 run and is suddenly behind for the first time since the first minute (44:47). Coach Israel Gonzalez takes a time out and can stop the negative run. His team regained the lead shortly afterwards (52:50) – but went into the last quarter behind (63:65). High voltage!
Paris sets Euroleague record
Paris throws from all positions and sets a record. There have never been 52 (!) three-point attempts in the Euroleague. 20 of them end up in the basket – which ultimately ensure the narrow victory. The best thrower is Nadir Hifi, who takes an incredible 19 throws from outside, seven of which hit (25 points in total). Tim Schneider is the top scorer for Berlin (18 points).
The albatrosses don’t have time to breathe. Part two of the Euroleague double game day is scheduled for Thursday (8 p.m.). Then Anadolu Efes Istanbul comes to the Uber Arena. Then hopefully with more positive news on and off the floor.
