Alba Berlin-Panathinaikos Sportando Preview

6:45 p.m. start for Alba Berlin-Panathinaikos, the first round of the EuroLeague. It will be played at the Uber Arena, referees Javor, Peerandi and Sukys.

Among the Germans in doubt Procida, definitely absent Delow, Thomas and Samar. For Panathinaikos, the only absentee will be Kostas Antetokounmpo.

Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach:

“Panathinaikos has an incredibly strong roster. They’re the defending EuroLeague champions and have only strengthened their rotation this season. It will be a tough game, but we’re playing at home and want to show a team performance to bring all our energy onto the court. Intensity will play an important role, especially in the zone, in order to control Panathinaikos’s strengths under the basket.”

Elias Rapieque, ALBA Berlin forward:

“Playing against the defending champions right at the start of the EuroLeague is of course a huge task. But we have nothing to lose and are also playing at home at Uber Arena. That’s definitely something special and will give us a bit of extra motivation. We have to keep the intensity high and have fun on the court as a team.”

Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach

“We ended last season with a title in Berlin, and now we start the new season on the road in Berlin. We are ready for the season. All teams are strong, all teams want to win every game, especially when you play on the road it is very dangerous. Maybe some think ALBA is not a candidate for the place in the playoffs, but rosters on the paper is different than the game. In the opening round of the EuroLeague, in the entire first half of the season, everyone fights for as many victories and have a goal to reach the playoffs. It is very important to be calm, in the road game to play aggressive basketball with game discipline. Every game, especially in the beginning of the EuroLeague, is dangerous. Lorenzo Brown practiced with the team, I hope he will practice again [Wednesday evening] and I think he will be on the court [against ALBA].”