Basketball: Referee surprises after this elbow hit

Player leaves the field with blood running down his face

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - 08:18

Alba Berlin's Johannes Thiemann has to leave the field after an elbow hit by Real Madrid's Guerschon Yabusele. The referees surprisingly did not penalize the foul.

In the final seconds of the game between Alba Berlin and Real Madrid in the EuroLeague, Alba forward Johannes Thiemann and Real Madrid forward Guerschon Yabusele collided in a duel under the basket. Yabusele apparently hit Thiemann in the face with his elbow. The German international had to leave the field with blood running down his face.

The referees reviewed the situation on video, but surprisingly did not award a foul. Alba coach Israel Gonzalez was furious and was given a technical foul for protesting too vehemently. Gonzalez accused the referees of bias and said after the game: "I don't understand why the referees didn't give a foul there. It was a clear hit to the face."

Alba Berlin ultimately lost the game 95:96 to Real Madrid. The absence of Johannes Thiemann, who is one of Alba's most important players, certainly did not help the Berliners. Whether Thiemann will be able to play in the next game is still unclear.