By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague Basketball has chosen eight of its finest referees from the 2022-23 season to officiate the games of the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania. The referees are Mehdi Difallah, Tomislav Hordov, Olegs Latisevs, Emin Mogulkoc, Anne Panther, Sasa Pukl, Boris Ryzhyk and Gytis Vilius.
The list includes many of the most seasoned referees on the continent as seven of the eight have previous Final Four experience. Difallah, Hordov, Latisevs, Ryzhyk and Vilius were also chosen for the 2022 Final Four. Ryzhyk and Vilius refereed last season’s championship game and Pukl, Latisevs and Vilius staffed the championship game the year before.
“I am pleased for these referees who have shown a high standard of work across the whole season,” said Richard Stokes, Euroleague Basketball Senior Director, Officiating. “The Final Four is the culmination and reward for a long season for the fans, players and coaches, but also for the referees who have shown excellence and consistency in their craft. To be selected is an honor for these officials, but with this opportunity comes great responsibility to perform at the highest level for two more days.”
The Final Four will be the 11th for both Latisevs and Ryzhyk. Pukl will take part in his sixth Final Four, Difallah will work his fourth, Vilius his third and both Hordov and Panther their second. Mogulkoc will make his Final Four debut.
The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four will take place at Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania. The semifinals will be on Friday, May 19, and the third-place and championship games will be two days later.