Dennis Clifford is actually always up for a fun, on Tuesday night, he was operated but pretty. Above the entrance to the tunnel, a Spanish Fan yelled provocatively in the direction of the Berlin players, while the US-Center delivery with a grim face in the catacombs of the Max-Schmeling-Halle. “It hurts like hell,” said Clifford, referring to the knee he had bruised in the first quarter. On the mental state of the pros of Alba Berlin, his statement would have fit, but at least as good. Only two and a half weeks after the dramatic defeat in the Cup final against Bamberg, Berlin also lost the first of three quarter-finals in the Eurocup against Malaga in the final seconds – and although Alba before half-time 21 points, had the lead and shortly before the end of the Game. “It is difficult to play with an early lead,” says Clifford.
After an outstanding first half, Berlin had in the third quarter of a helpless, almost apathetic. Malaga came out with a lot of energy from the break, hit a row of three, and Alba’s used cold error. Quickly, the lead was gone, and in the thrilling final phase, a Block and a directly via Dunk recycled Rebound from Malaga Mathias made Lessort the difference.
Clifford was no longer there on the field and played due to his knee contusion only eight and a half minutes (three points, one Rebound). After three matches, the Cup final in Bamberg, Germany, and the Bundesliga Games against Braunschweig and Frankfurt, where he had to be in the civilian watch, had a 2.13-Meter Center hoped for a different process.
number three
slipped After Clifford was in the last season at his Position, is still the clear number one, and almost always played, he is now in the hierarchy. Coach Aito Garcia Reneses prefers Clifford, who had shortly before the Cup final pause because of a bruised Rib for a short time, currently the defensive stronger Landry Nnoko as well as the smaller, but also faster German national player Johannes Thiemann. To make matters worse, in the Bundesliga, according to the regulations, per game, only six foreigners can be used. The last place behind the set, Luke Sikma, Peyton Siva, Martin Hermannsson, Rokas Giedraitis and Nnoko new arrival Derrick Walton takes currently. “Of course it is hard when you have to sit outside,” says Clifford. “I don’t want to be the kind of player that in the Training, nevertheless, always full throttle gives everything for the Team and ready.”
Against Malaga was Clifford ready and glad to welcome for the first Time in three and a half weeks to play again. “It was certainly not the result I had hoped for,” said Clifford. “It was mental but very important to be on the floor with the boys.” On Friday (20.45 clock, live at Magenta sports) waiting for the next chance in the second game against Malaga. Alba needs in Andalucia, a victory, in order to prevent this in the Eurocup, and a decisive third game on Wednesday coming force week in Berlin. Clifford, despite his painful knee contusion liable. “Because you have to fight through. We have to win and I’ll definitely be ready.”
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Eurocup Basketball match Alba Berlin loses first game of the season against Malaga
Julian Graeber
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