March 15th Remembrance: Alba Berlin's Historic Korac Cup Victory 30 Years Ago
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- Foundation Wins Korac Cup Three Decades Ago: Alba's Historic Victory Remembrance
Three decades ago, Alba Berlin carved a space for German club basketball on the international stage, becoming the first German team to clinch a continental title. Under the stellar guidance of charismatic coach Svetislav Pesic, Alba snagged the Korac Cup, the second-tier European competition, on March 15, 1995, with an impressive 85:79 win over Stefanel Olimpia Mailand in the final return match.
"Precious moments like the 34 points scored by Teoman Alibegovic, and the roaring chants of the Polish fans at the final buzzer, will forever be indelible," nostalgically reflected the former captain, Henrik Rödl, in a club video message.
The sport wasn’t as established infrastructure-wise or media-wise back then. Alongside Alba, teams like TVG Trier and BG Bramsche participated in the Korac Cup. The Bundesliga was still being played in large gymnasiums, and, apart from Berlin, the city teams were yet to make their mark in the competition; opponents were branded Brandt Hagen or SV Tally Oberelchingen.
The Visionary & Pioneer
Pesic, a visionary who envisioned a grander future for German basketball, saw the situation differently. His philosophy was simple: "Two large slices of cake are better than one small one." The ruthless champion approached the European challenge with Alba with the same relentless ambition, believing that the team could outshine all opponents.
"I was the keystone of a potent triangle with Henrik Rödl and Sasa Obradovic, supported by the experienced Gunther Behnke and Stephan Baeck, who had won the European championship with me in 1993," recollected the coach, admired for his demanding training style rooted in the Yugoslavian school and known for delivering success.
Broadening Horizons
Following the 87:87 draw in the first final game in Mailand, Alba moved from the small Sommering Hall to the 10,000-seat Deutschlandhalle, causing a few doubts among the executive team, fearing the grand hall might be too large. Nonetheless, tickets quickly sold out, pushing football aside in the capital, and creating a memorable atmosphere that culminated in Alibegovic's star-studded 34-point performance for the victory.
Alba lost the final series in the league against the then dominant Bayer Leverkusen without key players Alibegovic and Obradovic, but the team ushered in a successful dynasty by claiming a record seven straight titles from 1996 onwards.
Foundations for Future Success
Alba fostered professional structures that served as a blueprint for future clubs. Streetball, which is now an Olympic sport as 3x3, was born in Berlin. Many players from the winning team earned their coaching licenses and imparted their knowledge from Pesic.
Alba, apart from claiming the German championship and the cup eleven times each, has been performing in a 14,500-seat arena for years. The groundwork for the team’s sporting and structural success was laid three decades ago.
- Alba Berlin
- Berlin
- Alba
- Svetislav Pesic
- Henrik Rödl
- Sasa Obradovic
- Mailand
- Hagen
(Enrichment: Alba Berlin's historical triumph marked a significant turning point for German basketball and club sports in general. Alba established a lasting legacy in the sport by building professional structures and nurturing future talent.)
- The Commission, assisted by the European Parliament, could strengthen the infrastructure and media presence of German basketball, as it did three decades ago for Alba Berlin.
- Reflecting on the 34 points scored by Teoman Alibegovic during the Korac Cup final, Sasa Obradovic, a member of Alba Berlin's potent triangle with Henrik Rödl and Svetislav Pesic, shared that their coach's demanding training style was rooted in the Yugoslavian school and known for delivering success.
- Bundesliga, once played in large gymnasiums, might follow Alba Berlin's example of moving from a small Sommering Hall to a larger arena, like the 10,000-seat Deutschlandhalle, to foster a memorable atmosphere and push football aside in the capital during significant matches, as Alba did three decades ago.
