Alba Berlin is not getting going in the Euroleague. The Berliners lost in their own stadium against Paris Basketball 83:90 (44:37), thus suffering their fifth defeat in their sixth game. Bayern Munich then did better against Virtus Bologna.
The Berliners were only able to win the first quarter, but clearly (26:16). In the remaining parts of the game, the French retained the upper hand thanks to many successful three-point shots. Nevertheless, Alba sniffed victory again shortly before the end and led 81:79 – before Paris pulled away again with a short run. Tim Schneider was the best thrower for the German runner-up with 18 points.
Berlin remains in last place in the table. Olimpia Milan and Virtus Bologno also currently only have one win to their name. At the top of the Euroleague table are FC Barcelona (5:1 wins) and Zalgiris Kaunas (4:1).
Alba will continue on the European stage on Thursday. The Berliners will meet Anadolu Efes from Turkey in their own hall. In the Bundesliga, Alba, which is currently only in 14th place in the table, has to go to Bamberg Baskets on Sunday.
Alba suspends Koumadje
Before the game, Alba had suspended Khalifa Koumadje “until further notice”. “We have become aware of allegations that have been made against Khalifa. We take these allegations very seriously,” managing director Marco Baldi is quoted as saying in a Berlin statement. Koumadje has been suspended until these allegations have been fully clarified, Baldi continued: “We will inform you about further developments at the appropriate time.”
According to “Bild”, the allegations are not about Koumadje’s misconduct during the round of 16 match in the BBL Cup on October 13th at Hakro Merlins Crailsheim (75:74). The professional from Chad was banned by the league for three competitive games “for assaulting a third person during a break in the game outside the field of play” and was also given a fine of 2,000 euros. Instead, the allegations now come from the player’s private environment.
Bayern celebrate a narrow victory
The second German club in the Euroleague made better headlines. Bayern Munich defeated Bologna after a very close game with 87:84 (40:33). The Munich team initially found it difficult to get into the game and quickly fell behind. By the end of the first quarter they had reduced the deficit to six points.
Thanks to nine points in a row, the guests took the lead early in the second half and dominated the game. They won the quarter with 21:8 and were ahead 40:33 at halftime.
After the break the game remained close. Bayern couldn’t pull away any further. Bologna increased the tempo in the final quarter and now scored a little better. Munich lost the ball a few times, which allowed the Italians to get back into the game. The lead changed constantly, national player Nick Weiler-Babb first scored the equalizer at 82:82 with a three-pointer, before Shabazz Napier also put Bayern on the road to victory with a three-pointer five seconds before the end.