Mayhem in the basketball arena - The Alba game is suddenly shrouded in fog.
Alba Berlin emphatically clinches its second home win in the Easycredit Basketball Bundesliga play-offs against Telekom Baskets Bonn, triumphing with a score of 83:70. With this victory, the eleven-time champions now enjoy a comfortable 2:0 lead in the best-of-five series. The third match takes place on Tuesday (6.30 p.m., Dyn/JetztDyn two days free trial/display) in Bonn.
A unique pre-game atmosphere enveloped the arena. A massive fire display engulfed the venue, leaving it swathed in a thick haze. An ecstatic Arne Malsch, commentating on the event for Dyn and WELT TV, remarked, "Wow, it's really warm in the arena again. They've got the fire pots blazing here for every game. It's like there's a barrier. When the players take off running through it, the flames shoot up." Patrick Femerling, a seasoned professional and former national team member who was seated next to him, chimed in, "It's a cauldron here. The atmosphere is explosive. Since it's so cramped. The Bonn fans are shrouded away up in the fog somewhere."
Last Friday, the Berliners triumphed in Uber Arena (94:68), but this time, they have to adapt to playing in the more compact Max-Schmeling-Halle. In this venue, they have reigned victorious in all their home games this season against Braunschweig, Vechta, Würzburg, Göttingen, and Heidelberg, with an average margin of victory of 16 points.
Alba Berlin's lead was tenuous after only 24 seconds, when the referees abruptly stopped play, confusing the players. Robert Lottermoser, the head official, inspected the initial period on the video screen and adjusted the clock.
The tilt leaned in Berlin's favor by a small margin at the end of the first quarter (23:21). At the midway point of the contest, Alba held a slightly larger advantage (44:40). In somewhat lighter banter, Malsch playfully commented on Harald Frey's free throws, "Absolutely cringeworthy! I'll refrain from mentioning Frey throws." Femerling chuckled heartily.
A tense match unfolded, and Bonn made a strong comeback. Femerling marveled, "They're proving to be more energetic and nimble, plus their rebounding stands out. Bonn is playing in a starkly different style compared to the first encounter."
The match progressed, and the gap between the two teams dwindled to just five points (64:59) heading into the fourth quarter. Malsch quipped lightheartedly, "Frey's free throws... I'll spare you the words." Femerling giggled.
With five minutes and 18 seconds remaining and the scoreboard reading 66:65, a remarkable moment unfolded. Noah Kirkwood, a Bonn player, was forcefully halted by Johannes Thiemann, a world-class competitor, with a bold block against the backboard. Instruction: "Thiemann with the monstrous block!" Malsch shouted exuberantly.
Alba Berlin was certain of its next victory with 1 minute and 7 seconds left, leading 77:68.
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Source: symclub.org
