The OPEL SKYLINERS defeated BG Karlsruhe by 44 points on Sunday and go into Saturday`s game (18:30) with a lot of confidence against ALBA Berlin. However, this game will not be a cakewalk, but a real difficult assignment for Frankfurt to win. After ALBA Berlin comes a date at Bamberg. The next two games will really give a good indication where the OPEL SKYLINERS are, heading into the final weeks of the season towards the Playoffs. "Berlin knows that we beat them twice last year, but they are still confident because of their play this year. However, they know we are a dangerous team. It will be a real tough game for the two clubs", says Ibrahim Diarra.
The seven-time BBL champion ALBA Berlin is currently at #1 and playing with a lot of confidence. The OPEL SKYLINERS are back in the hunt for the #1 spot at #4 in the BBL standings. Frankfurt now has five days to prepare for this big game. A time period where the coaching staff can work on certain aspects of the game that need to be improved by the players, as well as motivating them. "I think this game can be won in practice. If we work real hard this week and execute the things in practice well, then it should translate over to the game", says a very confident Chris Williams.
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After suffering so long with the injury blues, it seems like the team is healthy now with the exception of Tyrone Ellis, who is still recuperating from his injury. ALBA Berlin has been hit with some injuries to some key players. National player Mithat Demirel will probably miss the game due to a groin injury and national player Nino Garris will miss the game due to a broken hand. Even though two key figures will be out, that should not give Frankfurt additional breathing room with this opponent. "We have to focus on the whole team. They are playing great team Basketball", says a cautious Chris Williams.
ALBA Berlin has such a strong playing roster that even with injuries, other players can lead the team. Alba Berlin possesses two very strong players from the States. Los Angeles native guard Gerald Brown and New York Knick draft pick Michael Wright from Chicago. "We are going to have to watch Michael Wright very closely. He is very phyisical and he can rebound very well", says Malick Badiane. They also have two huge centers, Jovo Stanojevic from Serbia-Montenegro and Szymon Szewcyk from Poland. The OPEL SKYLINERS will have to find a recipe to stop them. "We will have to stop these two guys. They like to work the ball inside. If their outside shooting is not working, then they go inside, because that seems to always work. The key will be to stop them inside", says Ibrahim Diarra.
In the game against BG Karlsruhe, there was a little rebounding lapse in the first half. Playing tough defense and winning the battle underneath the basket will be the key to winning. "You always need to be aggressive when rebounding. Typically, everyone should be boxing out, but sometimes guys forget, so that is how you lose a rebound. You can´t start to think about offense before you have the ball, that is the key", says Ibrahim Diarra. The big guys like Bernd Kruel, Hasan Özkan and Malick Badiane are going to have to play real tough, in order to dominate play under the basket.
Pascal Roller led the OPEL SKYLINERS in scoring in the last two games and scored 81 points in his last three games. Another great game by him won´t be enough. The whole team will have to give a strong performance. The team definitely respects his outstanding performances. "Pascal can score when he wants to. He is confident and it never looks like any effort for him. However, he can also step back and run the team when he needs to", says a grateful Ibrahim Diara. However, the team also understands that the whole team needs to be involved. "The young guys have to step up like Alex King, Mladjen Sljivancanin, me. We all have to be strong. If Pascal or Chris are stopped, then we have to score points", says Malick Badiane.
The OPEL SKYLINERS lost the first meeting against ALBA Berlin earlier in the season in Berlin. A win on Saturday would most likely strengthen the team mentally, as well as put them closer to the top of the BBL standings. Their last home win was almost two years ago. Frankfurt hosts ALBA Berlin on Saturday at 18:30 in the Ballsporthalle in Höchst.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber reporting for the OPEL SKYLINERS
