After the successful start of the second half of the season, Alba Berlin and Bayern Munich suffered setbacks in the EuroLeague. The German champions Alba lost to the Spanish record champions Real Madrid 77:84 (35:46) despite a good performance, the Bavarians lost to the Turkish champions Fenerbahce Istanbul 71:79 (39:46) because of a weak third quarter.
The Berliners, who had won against Armani Milan from Italy 48 hours earlier (83:63), made it exciting again against the favorites after a weak start (15:34/14th minute). It was 67:71 a good seven minutes before the end, but Real responded to the run and finally brought the victory home with ease. The hosts’ best pitcher was Jaleen Smith (22 points).
The Munich team clearly beat the Spanish top team Baskonia Vitoria on Tuesday (92:79). Double match days are “like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get,” said Bayern coach Andrea Trinchieri with a wink before the game, quoting Forrest Gump from the Hollywood film of the same name. The Italian initially saw an open duel, neither team could really break away until the break.
That changed in the second half. Title candidate Fenerbahce came out of the dressing room with more energy and pulled away in the third quarter (21:10), meanwhile Bayern were 23 points behind (43:66/28.). Munich and their top scorer Augustine Rubit (21 points) fought back (71:75/40.), but didn’t get a chance to win.
On Sunday (3:00 p.m./Sport1 and MagentaSport), second-placed Alba will play at leaders Telekom Baskets Bonn in the Bundesliga, and Bayern will continue with a top game at MHP giants Ludwigsburg (6:00 p.m./MagentaSport).
