By Rigas Dardalis/ Dardalis@eurohoops.net
Union Olimpija took part in the Euroleague draw, where they end up at Group A, but it’s not yet a given that the Slovenian club will play in Europe’s biggest competition next season. Before the draw, Euroleague’s executives warned Olimpijia that if they don’t take care of their financial issues in a defined time frame, they will be kicked out of Euroleague!
To be exact, there is an official press release from Euroleague after the meeting of the shareholders of the competition – that means the teams – about Olimpijia’s debts to three players, which have to be paid until the 20 of July 2010, or at least until the 20 of September 2012, or else French club Le Mans will take the place of the Slovenians.
Olimpijia reacted with an more press release, in which the word “warning” is used, with the team president Jani Möderndorfer (photo) saying: “Our situation is clear and reaction from the Euroleague is not a surprise to us. This elite basketball competition deserves clubs which are disciplined and stable on and off the court. During last days we reached an agreement with support of our sponsors that we continue Union Olimpija’s Euroleague ambitions. The club committed to pay the debts in the shortest time possible. This is not new to us as this is our priority all along – to pay back the money we owe to the former players, coaches and others. In case we do not meet our commitments we will not play in Euroleague. I believe that we will accomplish this, that’s why we don’t want to think about other possibilities.”