By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
This season marked the first time in which French teams participated in neither EuroLeague or Eurocup. And as it seems, this was an one-off situation, at least regarding the second-tier continental competition for now.
After the Italian League gave the “OK” to clubs that want to compete in EuroCup, the pretty much expected return of French teams to the competition s now official, more or less, following an announcement by LNB (Ligue National de Basket).
Per the French League’s press release: “It was confirmed by the managing committee of LNB what was decided on the general assembly of the 19th of March, that the Basketball Champions League remains the priority for the French teams which want to compete in Europe. However it was also decided that it’s possible for clubs to compete in the Eurocup if the spots given to France are attributed by rules which are decided by the LNB. If a Euroleague spot is given to France, then the LNB will support the participation of a team in the competition.”
Since the Basketball Champions League is mentioned as the “priority competition” for LNB, it’s quite possible that the 2017 champion will not participate in EuroCup and instead join the FIBA tournament.