Alba Berlin enters the new EuroLeague season in a similar fashion to previous ones, but it seems that on paper, they will be significantly weaker compared to what we’re used to.
Consistency has been a hallmark of Alba Berlin for years in the EuroLeague. However, the impression this summer is that we’ve seen a more substantial reconstruction within the German team. In addition to the mentioned rebuilding, it is expected that they will still demonstrate what they have brought to this competition over the seasons.
Regardless of the roster they have, visits to Israel Gonzalez’s team in the capital of Germany are always uncomfortable, and Alba Berlin is an opponent not to be underestimated, no matter what. We have witnessed numerous surprises from them in the years behind us.
A New Beginning – New Knights of Berlin or a Complete Fiasco?
Alba Berlin was one of the biggest disappointments in European basketball last season. They didn’t reach the finals in domestic competitions such as the German Cup and the Bundesliga, and in the EuroLeague, they were the worst team alongside Asvel. Despite expectations of improving their team during the summer, it didn’t happen. In fact, it seems they are even weaker than before. Key players like Maodo Lo, Jaleen Smith, and Luke Sikma are no longer with the team, and it’s uncertain whether the new players are at a similar level.
The most prominent name to arrive in Berlin this summer is undoubtedly Sterling Brown. He had a certain role with the Milwaukee Bucks a few years ago, but it remains to be seen if he can transfer his quality to European basketball. Justin Bean certainly has potential, but it’s unclear if it will shine through in the EuroLeague. Matt Thomas is probably more suited for the Eurocup at this point, much like the prospect Ziga Samar. The lack of team and individual talent might be offset by Gabriele Procida, who is expected to take the next step in his career, while leadership roles could be assumed by Louis Olinde and Johannes Thiemann. Yanni Wetzell and Christ Koumadje continue to man the center position.
EuroLeague Preview – Alba Berlin: Roster for the upcoming season
Matt Thomas /191cm/ – USA
Matteo Spagnolo /193cm/ – ITA
Jonas Mattisseck /195cm/ – GER
Sterling Brown /196cm/ – USA
Ziga Samar /197cm/ – SLO
Gabriele Procida /198cm/ – ITA
Malte Delow /198cm/ – GER
Justin Bean /201cm/ – USA
Johannes Thiemann /205cm/ – GER
Luis Olinde /205cm/ – GER
Tim Schneider /208cm/ – GER
Yanni Wetzell /208cm/ – NZE
Kresimir Nikic /213cm/ – CRO
Christ Koumadje /224cm/ – CHA
Departures: Luke Sikma, Yovel Zoosman, Tamir Blatt, Jaleen Smith, Maodo Lo, Ben Lammers, Marcus Eriksson
Arrivals: Sterling Brown, Justin Bean, Matt Thomas, Ziga Samar, Matteo Spagnolo
EuroLeague Preview – Alba Berlin: Greatest Success in the competition
Considering that basketball was not an extremely popular sport in Germany, expecting magnificent results from Alba Berlin was unrealistic. It seems that the old format suited them the most. Their first significant success came in the 2008/2009 season when Alba found themselves among the top 16 teams in Europe, in a decently competitive environment.
They finished fourth in their group with Tau Ceramica, Lottomatica Roma, Fenerbahce, Joventut and Union Olimpija. However, their journey ended there, as they were in a group with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Maccabi Tel Aviv in the top 16 phase, finishing this phase without a win.
They went through four years of somewhat weaker results, but Alba repeated the success from the mentioned season. With four wins in a group that also included Maccabi, Unicaja, Montepaschi Siena, Elan Chalon and Prokom, they managed to secure a place among the top 16. However, they didn’t perform well there, finishing second to last with only four wins, with the only team below them being Bayern, who had no victories.
The last significant “achievement” by Alba came two years later, in the 2014-15 season, when they once again reached the top 16 phase. It’s worth noting that they received a special invitation instead of Prokom that year, and unlike the previous two times, they made a good impression in the top 16 phase. They were on the verge of advancing to the quarter-finals, but Panathinaikos moved forward thanks to a better head-to-head record.
Few words about the head coach – Israel Gonzalez
If there’s one thing certain in Berlin, it’s the coaching position. It’s hard to imagine seeing any other name on the sidelines of Alba in the near future unless something truly extraordinary happens. The entire system was established by the legendary Aito Garcia Reneses, who also advocated for the appointment of Gonzalez after his departure. Gonzalez has been with the club since 2017, spending four years as an assistant to a more experienced compatriot.
Since 2021, he has been at the helm of the coaching staff, and the impression is that he has continued with the philosophy and style of play that the legendary Aito emphasized. As an assistant, Gonzalez won the German Cup and clinched the domestic championship twice. On the other hand, as a head coach, he has secured both a league title and the aforementioned Cup. However, European success is still missing from his resume.
EuroLeague Preview – Alba Berlin: Expectations
A challenging topic when it comes to Alba Berlin. In the last three seasons, they have recorded only 35 victories in total, consistently occupying the lower ranks of the table. They came closest to the playoffs two seasons ago, but that was partly due to the exclusion of Russian clubs. With the departure of key players, it’s difficult to expect to see Alba in any kind of play-in contention this year.
It will be especially strange to see Alba Berlin without Sikma, who has been a part of the club since 2017. Up until this summer when he moved to Piraeus, where he will wear the Olympiacos jersey in the upcoming season. The reinforcements that have arrived do not seem to match such ambitions, so the harsh reality for the German team at the moment is the battle near the bottom.
There’s no doubt that some surprises will occur because it’s in Alba Berlin’s DNA, but for higher aspirations, they definitely lack the quality. After all, it seems that, for Israel Gonzalez, the most important thing right now should be to regain their status in Germany, as they have been far from their recognizable level last season.
German betting tax takes 5.3 percent of every stake, win or lose, so a licensed book has to price a Bundesliga game wider. I measured how much wider on my German betting sites page.
