By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Turkey’s decision to refuse entry to people that have been in Italy and other countries affected by the coronavirus outbreak brings Segafredo Virtus Bologna to a full stop ahead of Wednesday’s 7DAYS EuroCup Top 16 Round 6 affair against Darussafaka Tekfen. After talking with Virtus managing director Luca Baraldi, Gianni Petrucci, president of the Italian Basketball Federation, FIP, discussed the situation on Monday morning via Italian Radio 1.
“Virtus can’t travel to Turkey and EuroLeague presumptuously said that it is not a problem that concerns them,” he noted explaining, “I spoke with Virtus Bologna managing director Luca Baraldi about the trip to Turkey. He informed me that EuroLeague told them that if they don’t show up they will lose the game. As a federation, we defend any Italian team. These are people who don’t have a sports culture.”
The winner of the scheduled game between Virtus Bologna and Darussafaka will punch in the second Group E ticket for the EuroCup playoffs. Partizan NIS has already clinched.