GER - ULEB assure Alba Berlin spot in ULEB Cup

BERLIN (ULEB Cup) - The European basketball organisation ULEB have assured German giants Alba Berlin a spot in next season's ULEB Cup - even if that means as a wildcard in the expanded competition.

ULEB boss Jordi Bertomeu informed Berlin managing director Marco Baldi of the association's decision, saying it was based on the "recognition of the historical and strategic meaning" of the club, which won seven straight German titles between 1997 and 2003.

Berlin took the German BBL regular season crown in 2007 but were embarrassingly swept by eighth-seeded Artland Dragons in the first round of the play-offs - the first time in German history that a top seed was bounced at that stage.

The departure from the play-offs left Berlin in danger of not finishing among the top three of Germany's European rankings - the leader qualifying for the Euroleague and the second and third-placed teams for the ULEB Cup.

If Artland Dragons were to beat Brose Baskets Bamberg in the BBL Finals - the series was tied 1-1 going into Saturday's Game Three in Bamberg - then Berlin would finish fourth and be qualified for the FIBA EuroCup.

ULEB, however, have assured Berlin that they will play in the ULEB Cup as part of the organisation's expansion reform from 24 to at least 48 teams from 24 countries. The draw for the ULEB Cup takes place on June 30 in Jesolo, Italy.

Dave Hein
FIBA