The semi-finals in Basketball-Eurocup : Alba Berlin is shaking to victory against Andorra

have you become wary of Alba Berlin. Although Berlin played in the first half of the phase, almost in a frenzy, were in the Team, no big Celebrations to see. Too fresh the memories of the negligence playful lead in the first quarter-final against Malaga two weeks ago. At the time, Alba had managed in the meantime with 21 points and a last-second lost. On Tuesday, in the first semi-final of the Eurocup runners-up against BC Andorra, Berlin to the half with 16 points on the front – apparently they have learned from the bitter experience at least a little bit. For the guests from the Pyrenees Alba brought the game, despite a mediocre second half, just about the time and won in front of 9111 spectators in the Arena at the Ostbahnhof wafer-thin with 102:97 (29:21, 30:22, 26:30, 17:24).

"We said at halftime that we were up against Malaga in the same Situation, this Time we have made the important throws, but in the end," said Alba's strong playmaker Peyton Siva.
with the victory Alba's dream of a second international title after winning the Korac Cup in 1995, more food. It is only the second Time that the Berlin in the Eurocup in the semi-finals. Nine years ago they failed after a strong season in the final clear of Valencia and the chances for a remake are not bad. Because the Spaniards are still in the competition and were victorious in the other semi-final, 69:64 against Unics Kazan.

While the Reach the semi-finals for Alba is already a rare event, this is for BC Andorra already the biggest success in the club's history. Only five years ago, the Team from the Principality returned to the first Spanish League, the previous two appearances in Europe ended Cup in the morning. Among the four left in the competition, teams of Andorra is the big outsider.

The Berlin-based could trust on Tuesday and again on Landry Nnoko. The Center from Cameroon, had been caught a cold on Sunday against the casting, but was back fit in time. In the starting lineup Dennis Clifford still was and how all the Albanian player as he is awake started brightly. Fast the Center had four points, a few Rebounds and a Block in his stats and the fact to him after the difficult past few weeks with little use time good.

Andorra coach Ibon Navarro had to leave early to rely on a timeout, his Team found, but only sporadically against the pace of basketball in the Berlin. Alba switched to win the ball as quick as a flash, and if the distance of throws to find your target with such an outstanding security as on Tuesday, it is for any opponent uncomfortable.

Alba with a terrific yield of the Three-point line

In the first half, the Team of Aito Garcia Reneses hit 77 percent from the three point range. After eight minutes, the lead for the first Time was in the double digits, the middle of the second quarter, then at 15 points.

Especially with the versatility of Alba Andorra not cope. In the structure of the game distributed Martin Hermannsson and Peyton Siva in the balls sent. Niels Giffey got up early for ten points, Rokas Giedraitis met reliable and of the Bank, Franz Wagner came up with a self-understanding on the field that left his 17 years in the approach to imagine.

So it went with a 59:43 in the Pause, unlike two weeks ago against Malaga Alba of the difficulties but not entirely out of the concept. Andorra pulled it early in the third quarter, many Fouls and didn't come again and again to the free-throw line, a real offensive rhythm, the French playmaker Andrew Albicy and his colleagues found, however.

In the case of the Berliners, the throw ratio declined from distance necessarily, by Luke Sikma and Siva Alba kept the lead, however, constant. Only with the last throw, a triple of the former Tübingers Reggie Upshaw, approached the guests to twelve meters.

semi-finals in the Eurocup on Tuesday, Alba Berlin expected a storm of Andorra

Alba launched an Alley-Oop play of Siva and Sikma spectacular in the final section, however, Andorra was now fully in the game. The guests realized that perhaps something might be possible, and attempted, above all, the dynamics of Dylan Ennis and the size of Jerome's use of the Jordan river – with some success. After a Hook shot from the Jamaican centre, it was only 87:80. To the chagrin of the Berlin it was first time and a Minute before the end, it was Andorra's actually back to three points. Luke Sikma provided Alba with a Tip-in a bit of air and 27 seconds before the end Hermannsson made with a nifty layup and the bonus free-throw for the decision.