Alba Berlin has lost the final series in the Eurocup, missing the biggest success of a German basketball club in a European competition. The captains were defeated at Valencia Basket 63:89 (33:46) and had beaten the Spaniards after a total of three games 1: 2. Most successful Berlin throwers were Peyton Siva with 19 points and Rokas Giedraitis with 14 points.
"You're always sad and disappointed when you lose a final, but we must not forget who we played against today, we would only have had a chance if we played at the upper limit, but we did not succeed," Berlin sporting director Himar Ojeda said: "We are still very proud because we played a superb Eurocup season."
With a triumph Alba could have made historic achievements, never before could a Bundesliga side triumph in the second most important club competition in Europe. Twenty-four years after winning the then Korac Cup, the dream of the second international title for the former German series champion remained unfulfilled.
Berlin can still hope for the rise in the Euroleague
The Berlin started strongly in the playoffs and led early 11: 0. Record-breaker Valencia, who won the Eurocup for the fourth time, turned the match before the break, earning a comfortable lead. Alba could not catch up with them anymore.
With a triumph in the Eurocup Berlin would have been automatically qualified for the Euroleague, the highest European league in the coming year. There Valencia will be represented, but also Alba can still calculate chances. Jordi Bertomeu, president of the premier class, Berlin had recently put a wildcard in view.