Pic credit: IamwoSz

Three is a charm was the perfect phrase for Fin Borczanowski (195-F-2008) at the 2026 Albert Schweitzer Tournament as he had suffered the last few years in the German JBBL and NBBL Top 4´s in Berlin. Last season he lost in the semi finals to FC Bayern Munich 83-63, but severe heart break had already surfaced 2 years ago when he was in the JBBL (U-16) final against the EWE Baskets Juniors Oldenburg. It was the perfect David and Goliath scenairo where you had the overwhelming favorite with Alba Berlin against the massive underdog from Oldenburg. Oldenburg was the more energetic team that should of slammed the door shut in the second half, but allowed Alba Berlin to come back. Oldenburg led 74-72 and Alba Berlin had the last shot from Jona Drucke, but it fell short. “I thought that it would go in. Even though I contested it, it looked so good. When he released it I was thinking please don´t go. I had that Kawhi Leonard feeling”, remembered Djorde Klaric. But there woudn´t be a third hard ship for Borczanowski as he finally won a gigantic title. “I was very overjoyed when the buzzer sounded and we had won. I never thought that we could be so dominant since we had never played together before, but we always knew what we were capable of. I had often been second in the past and now I had finally made it. It was extra special winning it together with Anton Kemmer. We said before the final that we wouldn´t be second again and we kept that promise”, stressed Fin Borczanowski.

Pic credit: IamwoSz

Germany played Bahrain first and used it as a warm up destroying the Asian team 116-59. Germany totally controlled the boards 55-31 and had 6 players score in double figures led by Lucai Anderson with 16 points. Having Bahrain first was good for us getting into the tournament. We could get used to everything especially ourselves with each other on the court. We also figured out what we also still needed to work on”, said Fin Borczanowski. Jamie Edoka had a solid first game scoring 11 points and filled the stat sheet and was on his way to becoming one of the best players in the tournament. “Jamie can simply do everything on the court. He did a really good job carrying the team through the tournament”, stated Fin Borczanowski. Germany next faced Slovenia and had their toughest challenge of the tournament. Germany started slow and had to play catch up basketball for most of the game. Germany picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter at both ends and won it with the masterful game winner by Jamie Edoka. “We learned that we had to have better starts in games. We needed to start with more energy. We also understood that if it is close, we can still stay with an opponent”, added Fin Borczanowski. Edoka closed out the game with a pretty step back jumper on the baseline where the basketball God let it bounce around on rim and back board before finally rolling in. “Jamie´s shot looked a bit long when he released it. I first didn´t think that it would go in, but was more so overjoyed when it did”, expressed Fin Borczanowski. Germany controlled the boards again 41-33 with 16 offensive rebounds and had 4 guys score in double figures. Lucai Anderson was top scorer with 16 points and nailed big three´s when Germany needed it in their come back. Caspar Vossenberg added 13 points and was one of those silent hero´s during the tournament stepping up in so many ways. “I feel like Caspar´s dunk were vital for our motivation. It helped us that we had a chance in games”, commented Fin Borczanowski. Germany next faced Turkey where many Turkish fans showed up adding to a beautiful atmosphere. Germany was in control in the first half, but had a horrible third quarter being outscored 24-4, but retreated in the fourth quarter demonstrating that they can flip the switch at any time exploding for 29 points and winning easily 95-80. “They were a year younger than us. They were physical and we had our problems with them at first. But when we began to run more and better, they couldn´t keep up with us”, said Fin Borczanowski. Germany once again dominated the boards 44-26 and offensive rebounds 20-8 and shot a potent 46% from outside. Germany was led by Lucai Anderson with 26 points and had 4 players in double figures. Anton Kemmer had a solid game of 11 points, but was in the shadow of Lucai Anderson´s brilliant scoring game. “ Anton is very versatile. He has the ability to hit three´s despite being very tall. His size also helped us immensely on the rebound and on defense”, added Fin Borczanowski.

Pic credit: IamwoSz

Germany then faced Sweden in the fourth game and won 91-56. After a tight first quarter, Germany then played consistent ball in the last 3 quarters averaging 22 points and allowing only 11 points on the way to a comfortable victory. Germany led by as much as 35 points and won the rebound duel 61-32. They also forced them to 6/37 shooting from outside. “Our plan was to take them apart on the offensive glass and we did that. Leonard Kroger gave us a big lift on the offensive glass and on defense”, commented Fin Borczanowski. Germany spread the love around with scoring once again totaling 5 players in double figures led by Edoka´s 15 points. Orange Academy big man Felix Kiehlneker had a great game of 12/13. “Felix is big, moves really well for his size. He is really skilled on the pick and roll and good at alley-ops. You can always lob the ball and be sure that he will be there”, said Fin Borczanowski. The German domination continued against Japan winning 103-78. After a tight first quarter, Germany then exploded for 62 points in the second and third quarters paving the win. “Japan was really annoying to play. They were small and were always on the ball. But we decided the game quickly running and using our size advantage”, stressed Fin Borczanowski. Germany was led by Caspar Vossenberg with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again easily 61-32 with 20 offensive rebounds. Germany was 5-0 and now met Brazil in the semi-finals. Was any one going to stop them? Germany witnessed a tight scoring first half leading 51-50, but stepped it up in the third quarter exploding for 31 points and took it up another notch in the last frame with 39 points winning 121-98. Did Germany make any major adjustments in the second half? “The Brazil game was a crazy one to play. We scored so much that game. Anderson and Edoka combined for 47 points as Anderson led all scorers with 26 points. “Lucai can shoot from all positions on the court. He showed in all the games how good of a shooter he can be and how he can score with ease”, stressed Fin Borczanowski. Germany won the rebound battle again 40-24, shot 42% from outside and only coughed up the ball 9 times.

pic credit: IamwoSz

The final was a close battle against Slovenia. Germany led 46-38 at the break, but in the second half Slovenia led briefly until Germany got the lead back and never looked back despite winning the second half only 41-37. “The difference was that we stuck together and played a team. We played good defense at the end and hit our shots”, explained Fin Borczanowski. Germany was led by Edoka with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again 49-36. ”Our biggest strength in this tournament was that we always stuck together. Even when we were behind, nobody ever got down. We just kept playing with high energy and played fast. Nobody could stop us”, warned Fin Borczanowski. After the win, coach Alan Ibrahimagic was greeted with a massive shower in the dressing room. There was a team dinner and then most guys were on their way home except for Anderson and Dopfer who left Sunday to travel back to the states. The German who lists players Igor Stjepanovic of Slovenia and Kenchiro Benedict of Japan that impressed him most during the tournament had a solid tournament averaging 10/2/1 “I was content with my game. It was the first time that I was with the youth national team. I was happy with all my games except the final. I noticed that I need to work on my body and shot”, said Fin Borczanowski. He played against 6 different nations and against the best youth players on earth which helped his game make another step. “I saw that I could stick with every opponent with my drive and athleticism. I also hit my three pointer at the end of the tournament”, added Fin Borczanowski. It was the first time that he played for head coach Alan Ibrahimagic and was able to learn so much in such a short time. “I liked playing for Alan. He gave me trust to score. I knew that if I made a mistake, it wasn´t the end of the world. I liked how he balanced the minutes well of all the players”, explained Fin Borczanowski. It will be interesting to see where Fin Borczanowski´s journey will go in the next few years. However for now he is totally focused on helping Lok Bernau win the Pro B title and get Alba Berlin back to the NBBL Top 4.