By Bugra Uzar/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball presented today in Istanbul a new partnership that makes Acibadem Healthcare Group the official medical services provider for the next two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Fours.
In the meantime, the EuroLeague CEO was asked about next season and the spots that Turkish club will have both in EuroLeague and Eurocup. As Bertomeu explained: “As it has been during the last 15 years, we have sent invitations to the Turkish Federation for the two teams which will be ranked higher, apart from Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce, which have a contract with the EuroLeague. We sent an invitation for two teams. So there’s nothing new. We invited them again. We had a meeting with all the federations in December and we presented them our plans. We expect to have a much more calm atmosphere this year considering the threats, pressures and sanctions to the clubs which will want to play in the tournament they decide to. If this happens, I think Turkish teams will be present in the EuroCup. We also talked about this issue with Turkish federation president Hedo Turkoglu. He also conveyed his view that the clubs will make their choice without pressure. This is exactly what we want. We do not want to convince the clubs to play in EuroCup, we do not need it because we are not a federation. It would be great if the clubs want to join us. The same goes for EuroLeague”.
Practically Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes are going to be part of the EuroLeague, however Darussafaka Dogus and Galatasaray have not secured a possible spot in the Eurocup and will have to finish among the top spots of the Turkish BSL in order to get the invitations.