Crvena Zvezda and Ivan Trbuskovic Obliterate ALBA Berlin to Sweep in Top16 series
- powered by Dr. Witt
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
Cyber Euroleague Top 16 Recap: Crvena Zvezda vs ALBA Berlin
The reigning Cyber Euroleague champions are not going anywhere. Ivan Trbuskovic, representing Serbia with Crvena Zvezda Belgrade, showcased why he's still the team to beat in the NBA 2K25-based online league. In a masterclass of dominance, Trbuskovic swept German debutant Philipp Leimbach and his ALBA Berlin squad 3-0 in the Top 16 round of the Cyber Euroleague playoffs.
After earning promotion from the Cyber Eurocup last season, Leimbach's ALBA Berlin faced the ultimate test: stopping the defending champion. But from tip-off in Game 1 to the final whistle in Game 3, Trbuskovic made one thing clear—he's chasing back-to-back crowns.
Game 1: Trbuskovic Fires Opening Salvo with a Statement Win (102-63)
Zvezda exploded out of the gate in the series opener, putting up 49 first-half points while holding ALBA to just 30. A devastating 30-17 second quarter crushed any hopes Leimbach had of an upset. The Serbians ran a smooth offense with 17 assists, shot a red-hot 58% from the field, and sank 12 threes on 48% efficiency.
Bulgarian naturalized Codi Miller McIntyre set the tone with 22 points and 6 assists, while Nemanja Nedovic added 21. The inside presence of Bolomboy and Petrusev combined for 21 rebounds, dismantling Berlin’s attempts at paint protection. In contrast, ALBA Berlin shot just 43% and had a dismal 3-of-17 clip from deep.
Game 2: ALBA Responds but Zvezda Holds Firm (79-72)
Game 2 brought more resilience from ALBA Berlin. Leimbach made necessary adjustments, closing the gaps in transition defense and establishing better ball movement, leading to 21 assists and 54 points in the paint. However, Trbuskovic’s execution in crunch time was clinical.
Codi Miller McIntyre again led the charge with 21 points and 5 assists, supported by Nedovic’s 16. Zvezda’s bench poured in 36 points, showcasing the squad's depth. Though ALBA shot better from the field (57%) than Zvezda (51%), they lost the three-point battle badly, hitting just 2 triples. The Serbian side’s +8 rebound margin and superior defensive effort made the difference.
Game 3: The Crown Stays in Belgrade (98-40)
Game 3 wasn’t just a win—it was a message to the rest of the Cyber Euroleague. Zvezda shut the lights out on ALBA Berlin with a 98-40 demolition job, including a devastating 33-10 third quarter. From start to finish, Trbuskovic’s gameplan erased Leimbach's hopes.
The Serbians forced 23 turnovers, ripped 16 steals, and sank 19 three-pointers at 44% accuracy. Nedovic led all scorers with 19, while seven different players hit from beyond the arc. ALBA Berlin, meanwhile, managed just 25% shooting and an ice-cold 12% from three.
Zvezda’s defense was suffocating, rotating with precision and forcing rushed shots, while their bench outscored Berlin’s 47-16. ALBA simply had no answers, as the defending champions cruised into the quarterfinals with total authority.
What’s Next for the Champions?
With this convincing sweep, Crvena Zvezda and Ivan Trbuskovic advance to the quarterfinals, one step closer to defending their Cyber Euroleague title. Their opponent is Luka Vujasinovic (with Monaco), a tough matchup as it is the last season´s finals rematch, but one thing’s for sure—no team wants to face the reigning king in this form.
Philipp Leimbach, despite the exit, made a strong debut season in the Euroleague after moving up from the Cyber Eurocup. He earned valuable experience, and expectations will rise for a stronger campaign next year.
