Unlucky in the league, flawless in the European Cup – Alba Berlin’s basketball team’s curious run continues. In their clash with Igokea Aleksandrovac from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the German champions – still hampered by injuries – struggled initially, but stepped up a gear in the final quarter thanks to a strong performance from Joe Wieskamp.
The Albatrosses were clearly still feeling the effects of their three consecutive Bundesliga defeats at the start of the second BCL matchday. Facing an aggressive Bosnian side and still without captain Martin Hermannsson, not only did they struggle to build up play once again, but their shots simply refused to go in. Following several unnecessary turnovers in quick succession, the visitors even went into the first quarter break with a lead.
After that, the match initially offered little to write home about. Both sides defended fiercely, so the game struggled to find its rhythm. After Mattisseck levelled the score with a three-pointer, Igokea’s captain Nate Pierre-Louis gave the visitors the half-time lead (38:40) with a lay-up as the buzzer sounded.
Wieskamp takes control of the game late on
After the break, Alba managed to build a lead for the first time and hold onto it for a sustained period. Jack Kayil (9 PTS, 3/11, 6 AST) paved the way with five quick points at the start of the quarter. Youngster Nevio Bennefeld (5 PTS, 3 REB) added to the tally with a lay-up and a free throw. However, as Berlin struggled to contain the impressive Lazar Stefanovic (21 PTS), Igokea ultimately went into the final quarter with a lead once again – the last one (59:62).
In the final ten minutes, Joe Wieskamp (19 PTS, 7/12, 8 REB) had his moment of brilliance for the Albatrosses. The swingman demonstrated why he was among the BBL’s MVP candidates last season. The player with 38 NBA appearances scored 14 of his 19 points in the final quarter, including three three-pointers and a dunk 29 seconds from time, which effectively sealed the victory. Justin Bean (17 PTS, 5 REB) put the game beyond doubt just before the final buzzer (90:79).
Alba thus also wins its second group match of the new Champions League season and continues to top Group G. Tomorrow evening (8.00 pm), the other two challengers, Bilbao and Prague, will face off. Berlin now gets a short breather before hosting defending champions Bamberg in the capital next Monday for the cup round of 16.
