The Ivey Tower Stands Tall: Hamburg Stuns Berlin with a 19-2 Run In a thrilling clash that echoed through the arenas of Hamburg, the Veolia Towers rose like phoenixes from the ashes of their recent cup defeat. With a fire ignited by the bitter taste of a near miss against MLP Academic Heidelberg (89-96), the Towers faced off against the silver medalists, ALBA BERLIN. Over the span of three quarters, the game unfolded like an intense chess match, with both teams battling fiercely with every possession. But as if conjured by a wizard’s spell, the Hamburg squad, led by the captivating Brae Ivey (22 points, effectiveness 31), unleashed a ferocious 19-2 run that sent shockwaves through the crowd, sealing the fate of the match at 97-80. Game Flow and Turning Point: The stage was set for an epic showdown as Hamburg and Berlin, both fierce competitors on international turf, clashed head-on. From the opening tip, the pace was blistering, with Ivey and Berlin’s Jonas Mattisseck engaged in a dazzling duel, each trying to outshine the other while the capital city’s team grappled with an array of turnover troubles yet managed to keep the score close at halftime (44-48, 20th minute). As the second half dawned, defensive intensity surged like a tide, creating an electrifying atmosphere that reverberated through the stands. But just when it seemed the game might slip into a nail-biting finish, the Towers erupted with a striking 19-2 run at the start of the final quarter, establishing a lead that felt insurmountable as Hamburg sailed to victory. The Star Duel: In the spotlight of this riveting contest stood Brae Ivey vs. the entire ALBA backcourt. The deft and graceful guard moved effortlessly, orchestrating the game like a maestro, sending both Martin Hermannsson (7 points, 5 assists) and Matteo Spagnolo (11 points, 5 assists, 4 turnovers) into the shadows. Only the special guardian Mattisseck managed to curtail Ivey’s brilliance momentarily, but a timely and unfortunate injury to his eye meant that his containment efforts began to dwindle just as the tides turned in Hamburg’s favor. The Numbers: 20 turnovers devastated the ALBA squad, while Hamburg’s crisp play saw them misplace possession only nine times, demonstrating a stark contrast in execution that contributed significantly to the outcome. Player of the Match: Brae Ivey, who joined the Towers as a mid-season pick-up last year, unveiled his true potential right from the get-go this season. In a stunning performance filled with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, he showcased his well-rounded skills, lighting up the stats sheet while declaring, “We aimed to set the tone for our season today. The previous cup match reminded us that readiness is key – and we embodied that spirit today.” The German Contenders: For the home team, Kenneth Ogbe scored a respectable 13 points along with three assists, while Jonas Mattisseck, despite nursing a gash over his right eyebrow, led Berlin’s scoring efforts with 12 points. Among the Crowd: 3,400 spectators witnessed this thrilling bout, including notable figures like DBB national coach Alex Mumbru and beach volleyball Olympic silver medalist Nils Ehlers, adding to the star-studded ambiance of the night. Wise Reflections: After the final buzzer, Mattisseck candidly remarked, “We brought this loss upon ourselves. Hamburg’s aggression caught us off-guard, and we were not physically prepared for that pace. We must shake off this defeat quickly and focus on securing our first victory soon.” Looking Ahead: The Veolia Towers Hamburg will have little respite as they gear up to face Cosea JL Bourg-En-Bresse in their international season opener on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 19:30. Meanwhile, ALBA BERLIN will seek redemption at home against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg on Saturday, September 28, 2024, with tip-off set for 18:30. Video Highlights: Catch the upcoming highlights of this spectacle on Dyn or the league’s official YouTube channel, where the best moments of the match will be immortalized for fans everywhere.
Original Source: www.easycredit-bbl.de
