Basketball Bundesliga: Decisive Game for Alba; 'Stay Confident'

Alba Berlin is once again facing an elimination game after squandering a 2-0 series lead in the Basketball Bundesliga semifinals. The team will play a decisive fifth game at home on Tuesday against the Bamberg Baskets, having lost their second consecutive match point.

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Now both have the same pressure. They have the confidence after the two wins, we have the confidence from the home advantage. We have to pull this balance to our side.

Sports director Himar Ojeda acknowledged the high stakes, stating, "Now both have the same pressure. They have the confidence after the two wins, we have the confidence from the home advantage. We have to pull this balance to our side." He noted that the series has unfolded as expected, with Bamberg proving to be a formidable opponent.

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This is exactly the series we expected. We knew from the beginning that it would be difficult against an equal opponent.

Ojeda highlighted the significant impact of home-court advantage in this series, as both teams have won their home games convincingly. "You can see that the home advantage is a very important factor in this series," he said. For Alba to advance, they must recapture the form that led to their initial victories, especially on offense. Their three-point shooting percentage has steadily decreased throughout the series, falling to just 21 percent in the last game.

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You can see that the home advantage is a very important factor in this series.

Wing player Michael Rataj echoed the sentiment of maintaining confidence, adding, "We must remain confident. And in Berlin, it will look completely different again." Alba's ability to return to its early-series performance will be crucial for their playoff hopes.

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We must remain confident. And in Berlin, it will look completely different again.