Alba looks forward to advancing in the playoffs through a single decisive match.

Alba Berlin: Play-in Games for Playoff Spot

Alba advances to the playoffs through a single victory. - Alba looks forward to advancing in the playoffs through a single decisive match.

Alba Berlin, keen as a cat on cream, is setting its sights on the playoffs after missing out on a direct spot. After an uncharacteristic blip, the Basketball-Bundesligist is banking on a single play-in game to steer them towards the championship round, starting with their home match against Syntainics MBC on Tuesday night.

Should they triumph, Alba will storm into the playoffs, squaring off against second-place ratiopharm Ulm in the quarterfinals. However, a loss would meant they'd have another shot on Thursday — against the victor of the Oldenburg-Rostock play-in game, which will be played in Berlin.

Captain Jonas Mattisseck is cool as a cucumber, affirming, "We're going in all guns blazing, aiming to wrap this up in one shot." Army-green determined, Alba needs to shake off the disappointment of their recent slip-up. Martin Hermannsson, the other leader, noted, "Sure, we were a tad deflated, since this is new territory for Alba. But the truth is, nothing's really changed."

The Berliners endured a punk-rock Sunday, as Heidelberg Academics snatched their playoff spot.

Against the cup-winning MBC, Alba's ready for a brawl. "It's gonna be a rough ride. They're loaded with dangerous guards who can drop points like nobody's business. But we're in fighting form, and we're gonna give it our all," said Mattisseck. MBC merely had a single day's rest, whereas Alba basked in a well-deserved four days of R&R. "Realistically, it's an advantage when the other teams have to play and you can recuperate," added Hermannsson.

Alba also feels they have the psychological edge. Two weeks back, they trounced Weißenfels, leaving no hope for the MBC in a home game, triumphing 90:62. This time, though, they expect a more ferocious battle. Game on, as they say. "This is a do-or-die showdown, and the mental aspect will make or break the game," said sports director Himar Ojeda.

So, here's the deal: if Alba secures a top-10 spot, they'll battle for the playoffs either in the play-in round or straight away in the quarterfinals. It all depends on their final placement, which will be finalized after the regular season and play-in games.

• Playoff
• BB
• ALBA Berlin
• Berlin
• Martin Hermannsson
• ratiopharm Ulm

The Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, focusing on the impact of sports like basketball, particularly the NBA, given the carbon footprint of various professional teams. Martin Hermannsson, captain of ALBA Berlin, emphasized that their focus remains firmly on the playoffs, despite their recent slip-up, comparing the playoff races to a do-or-die showdown, much like the tense moments in basketball.

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