By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Updating the profile picture on his official Facebook page, CSKA Moscow’s Georgian power forward Tornike Shengelia expressed his support to Ukraine.
“Praying for Ukraine! Stay strong” he wrote, relays Artem Komarov. The former members of the Soviet Union, his home country Georgia and Ukraine, are known to hold close political and cultural relations. Georgia and Russia ceased diplomatic relations after the 2008 war.
After Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine resulted in the ongoing war located in the Eastern Europe country, players, coaches, and teams showing their support to Ukraine and expressing messages against war have extended from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague to the NBA and elsewhere.
CSKA, based in Russia’s capital, is among the three teams of the country directly involved in the decision of all 18 sides participating in Europe’s premier club continental competition. Home games for CSKA, UNICS Kazan, and Zenit Saint Petersburg will take place in neutral venues until further notice, as announced yesterday, Friday. In the next few days, Euroleague Basketball will announce the new sites for upcoming fixtures, while monitoring the situation.
Zalgiris Kaunas, out of Lithuania, is unwilling to face the Russian clubs, despite the aforementioned decision. The team is willing to forfeit those games, as mentioned by team director Paulius Motiejunas.
Shengelia, 30, has been sidelined for over one month due to a leg injury. He has averaged 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest going through his ninth EuroLeague campaign and second as a member of CSKA. In addition, he has put up 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per VTB United League contest.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net