By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the attack of Iran on Israel, launching drones, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv was forced to push back the initial schedule regarding flying from Tel Aviv to Belgrade, ahead of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Play-In game versus Baskonia in Belgrade Arena on Tuesday. According to reports from multiple Israeli outlets, the Yellows are expected to travel via airplane later Sunday.
Barring a ban on flights by local authorities for security reasons, the team coached by Oded Kattash will travel to Belgrade this evening. The same possible restrictions apply to returning to Israel following the Play-Ins on Tuesday or Friday, depending on the game’s outcome versus Baskonia.
The initial schedule featured Maccabi flying to the capital of Serbia earlier Sunday.
Besides traveling from and to Israel, a potential decision to postpone games of Israel’s Ligat Winner and Migdal State Cup due to security reasons would affect plans for the Israeli champions moving forward in the 2023-24 schedule.
The seventh seed and a best-of-five series against second-seeded Panathinaikos AKTOR in the Playoffs will be confirmed with a potential win against Baskonia. Otherwise, taking on the winner of the contest between Anadolu Efes and Virtus Segafredo Bologna for the eighth seed will follow in Belgrade Arena. Defending champion and top-seeded Real Madrid awaits the winner of the final Play-In game.
Captain John DiBartolomeo has been nursing a shoulder injury recently but is projected to play against the team based in Vitoria-Gasteiz. All remaining players are healthy.
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