By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes coach Ergin Ataman discussed his thoughts on EuroLeague’s plan for the conclusion of the 2019-2020 season. According to Ataman, EuroLeague’s projection is to organize the last six regular-season games in a city that will be considered to provide the safest conditions amid the coronavirus pandemic, and then hold a Final Eight.
“My feeling is that EuroLeague will be played in July due to the positive course in Europe. Of course, these matches will 99% be played without fans. Because it’s risky, especially for the teams to be constantly traveling. EuroLeague’s projection is to gather all the teams in the most risk-free city and play the six remaining regular-season games there and then organize a Final Eight. This is the most likely scenario for me,” Ataman said in a video chat with fans, via Efes.
“I think the announcement of the city will be made in May,” Ataman added. “I find Istanbul difficult regarding this. My guess is that [the Final Eight] it can be played in a city in Germany. They already had preparations for the Final Four. To summarize, I think that the Final Eight will be held in the city (Cologne) where the Final Four would be held. Not finishing the season will be a huge problem.” Germany has banned major public events until August 31.
EuroLeague CEO Jordi Bertomeu had mentioned that the organization is working towards ways to conclude the season in a country that will have the “safest environment healthwise.” The competition was suspended on March 12 and Ataman’s Efes was at the top of the standings when the league shut down.