Basketball-Bundesliga : Alba is rested in the rematch

A bit of it, would feel John Thiemann caught, as he is asked, whether the game on Sunday in Bamberg (18 hrs/Magenta sports) - feeling because, as a kind of revenge for the lost Cup final six weeks ago. The 25-year-old Center of Alba Berlin hesitates, smiles a little embarrassed, and then says: "It is, in any case."

It was a bitter afternoon for Berlin. Dennis Clifford paused, Luke Sikma went cold in the game, Peyton Siva and Joshiko Saibou had just went through a prolonged Injury break, Derrick Walton made his first game ever for Alba. At the last second, the Berliner lost by a Threesome of Bamberg veteran Nikos Zisis with 82:83. The Frustration of the Teams on the next missed title was almost tangible.

However, in six weeks, a lot can happen. Meanwhile, Alba has moved into the final of the Eurocups, to the long-term injured Stefan Peno and Clifford, who had to suspend during the week due to illness in the Training, all the players fit, and, above all, the Team had the rare opportunity of a whole week to prepare all the game. "I'm surprised, how is this possible?", coach Aito Garcia Reneses will be forfeited due to tightly scheduled game plan, the Berlin, as in sarcasm. He is now looking forward to a "very important game", in which Alba is to dissociate a direct competitor in the fight for a good position for the Play-offs. As table neighbors on the ranks four and five in Berlin and Bamberg, both five defeats have been on the account.

Also Reneses looks to be the Team in better shape than at the time of the Cup final. Even two days he was able to buy his players. "The Coach has done a good Job," says Johannes Thiemann about the dosage of the training week. "The break was something we needed." This applies especially to the constant travelling: "It was nice to sleep in my own bed," says Thiemann. He is now "mentally relaxed" in the game.

Alba Berlin of The cool Eurocup Finalist

For Thiemann, the games in Bamberg are each Time a sort of homecoming. In the Frank land he grew up in Bamberg, he worked in the youth program: "I have since, in principle, Basketball, learned to play," he says. Before the season there was rumors that he would return to the Bamber. "That was an Option, I've been thinking," says the national players. Discussions there were, but in the end, the overall package convinced him in Berlin. "The Coach has played a very large role," says Thiemann. "We can see what he brings out of players out of it." Especially when he has to do once a week.