After a very close and exciting game three, where Frankfurt won 77 to 76, game four was another nailbitter, with the better ending for the OPEL SKYLINERS. "We had a lot of luck, but we deserved to win game three and game four, because we dominated those games. Alba Berlin fought back, but it showed that God was with us today, but we were meant to win", expressed an overjoyed Ibrahim Diarra. After losing in the semi finals to Bamberg in 2004, Alba Berlin will have another early sunmmer vacation. "We fought hard in this series, but we were unlucky. The team went through a lot of changes, like a new coach and the Michael Wright suspension. However, Frankfurt deserved to win this series", said a sad Alba Berlin manager Henning Harnisch.
The first quarter was very even, but towards the end, Frankfurt was able to go into the second quarter with a 16 to 11 lead. In the second quarter, Frankfurt was on fire, going on a 14 to 0 run, leading 30 to 11. It took Alba Berlin more than 4 minutes before they could score their first points in that quarter. This long drought in the second quarter might have been the difference, because Alba Berlin came back and outscored Frankfurt 21 to 18 in the second quarter. "We played good defense and played aggressive. The difference was that we made the big plays, when they had to be made, made important three-pointers and got critical rebounds. It was a whole team effort", said assistant coach Simon Cote.
Frankfurt continued to dominate the game and outscored Alba Berlin 23 to 19 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, it went back and forth. Frankfurt had a seven-point lead with a few minutes to go, but Alba Berlin came storming back. With 24 seconds to play, Stefano Nino Garris hit a three-pointer to cut the Frankfurt lead to 68 to 66. Then, Tyrone Ellis was fouled and he made both free throws to give Frankfurt a 70 to 66 lead. Alba Berlin then made a basket with a few seconds remaining, but time then expired and the OPEL SKYLINERS were in the final. "It feels so good to be in the final, after being injured so long. I´m thrilled for the fans and my teammates", said an overjoyed Tyrone Ellis.
The leading scorer for the OPEL SKYLINERS was American Chris Williams, who reached another double double, with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal. After the up and down season for Frankfurt, Williams thinks the team is ready for the finals. "We have a lot of experience and we have a lot of confidence in ourselves. I think we are slowly peaking. There are still some little things we can improve on. We are a good team now, but we can become a great team." American Tyrone Ellis scored 20 points, including five three-pointers and grabbing six rebounds. The long Quakenbrück series helped Ellis retain his playing rhythm after missing five months. "I´m very near my normal form. I´m still missing some shots, but with every practice and game, my shooting is getting better", analysed Tyrone Ellis. Captain Pascal Roller scored 15 points, dished out five assists and grabbed four rebounds. It was another dominating performance of the Bermuda triangle, as Williams, Ellis and Roller scored 56 of the 70 OPEL SKYLINERS points. Even though there was no other Frankfurt player in double figures, the whole team played a part in this sweet victory.
"Even in critical situations, we stayed together. Alba Berlin is a great team, but the difference was the whole team stayed together", added Tyrone Ellis.
Alba Berlin was lead by the big center from Serbia-Montenegro Jovo Stanojevic, who scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Little-used Martynas Mazeika had 11 points, as did guard Stefano Nino Garris. Even though Mithat Demirel fouled out near the end, he still managed 10 points, three assists and three rebounds. Game two killer Matej Mamic was silenced by Frankfurt´s defense, getting only eight points, but helping out under the basket with eight rebounds. "We played the way we expected to. It was a tough game that was decided on one or two shots. We were unlucky today, but nevertheless, I wish Frankfurt a lot of luck in the finals", commented Matej Mamic. Frankfurt did a great job containing big guy Szymon Szewczyk to only two points and two rebounds. The OPEL SKYLINERS did an exceptional job drawing fouls. Alba Berlin had 30 fouls and Frankfurt only 15. Alba Berlin also had 14 turnovers, which gave Frankfurt additional opportunities on offense.
Even though many in Hessen were hoping for a Hessen final between the OPEL SKYLINERS and Gießen, fate has picked GHP Bamberg for the final. It will be a rematch of the 2004 finals, where Frankfurt won its first BBL title against GHP Bamberg in five hard-fought games. Even though game one will be on Sunday, Tyrone Ellis had so much energy that he could have easily played Bamberg after the Alba Berlin game. "We are focused as a team. We want to win the final. We have a great team. I can´t wait to play Bamberg. I´m ready and the team is ready. Let the games begin." Bamberg won game three by 38 points and game four by 32 points against Gießen. Bamberg will be a tough opponent and will be burning to win its first title, after being denied in 2003 and 2004. But the OPEL SKYLINERS will also be fired up to repeat as champions. Ibraham Diarra thinks it will be a great series. "After our wins against Quakenbrück and Alba Berlin, we have even more confidence. Bamberg will be tough, but I think we have the momentum going into the series."
The OPEL SKYLINERS were nowhere to be seen in the experts´ picks as reaching the finals. Now, Frankfurt is in the final and can prove to all the non-believers that they are a championship team. Game one is Sunday June 12 in Bamberg.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber reporting for the OPEL SKYLINERS
