By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda president Nebojsa Covic said that Belgrade has all the necessary infrastructure to host EuroLeague’s planned final phase: The six remaining games of the regular season and then a Final Eight with knockout matches.
“We will wait for May 24th and we are very grateful to the state and the city of Belgrade for being able to apply to EuroLeague to host the format; all 18 clubs in one place, then six games, then Final Eight,” Covic said in a statement for Serbian news agency Tanjug. “Belgrade has the capacity in terms of sports, accommodation, transportation, and medical support. From the beginning, we are advocates that all championships should finish on the court. Everything is is a circumstance by a non-planned force.”
Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic has mentioned that Belgrade and Novi Sad (the second-largest city in Serbia which is located at a 96 km driving stance from Belgrade) are ready to accommodate 3,000 people.
Belgrade has been among the locations that EuroLeague considers to host the stage that will conclude the season, including the Stark and Hala Pionir arenas; both used by Red Star. EuroLeague requires each city-candidate to provide two venues that fulfill the organization’s standards so that two matches can be played at the same time.
Athens, Kaunas and Cologne are also considered by EuroLeague. The organization is expected to make a decision on the matter soon.