By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The next chapter of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague is more than likely to include Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet and Partizan Mozzart Bet, and possibly even more for Belgrade in the championship-crowning stage of the 2024-25 season.
Dejan Bodiroga, the president of Euroleague Basketball, discussed several topics regarding Europe’s premier club continental competition in a morning show on Serbia’s TV Nova.
“Serbia and the entire region are very important. Both clubs have a high chance to play in the EuroLeague,” he explained regarding Partizan and Zvezda being part of the 2024-25 participating field set to be announced next month.
“From the next season, I think teams can be licensed for three to five years,” Bodiroga added on potentially establishing a new approach to shaping a closed list of teams for more than one season in the future.
Zvezda has featured in each edition of the EuroLeague since the 2019-20 season, while Partizan returned to the top-tier level in 2022.
“Zvezda and Partizan can become longstanding teams in the EuroLeague,” Bodiroga focused on the atmosphere in home fixtures of the Belgrade outfits, “We see many people traveling to watch games of Partizan and Zvezda in the EuroLeague. I think they have the best atmosphere in Europe.”
Moving into the hosting city of the 2025 Final Four, he confirmed three candidates in the form of Barcelona, Abu Dhabi, and the capital of Serbia.
“Belgrade was a wonderful host on two occasions,” noted Bodiroga on the 2018 and 2022 installments of the Final Four held in Belgrade, “Soon, there is a high chance for the city to host another Final Four.”
“The EuroLeague considers multiple candidates every year. Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, and Belgrade are in the running for the next Final Four. A decision will be made next month,” he talked about the hosting bids for the next season-ending tournament.