By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The executive director of the EuroLeague Head Coaches Board, Goran Sasic talked about Russian teams resurfacing in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, as soon as the 2025-26 edition of the top-tier club continental competition of Europe.
“If you remember we did the same question one year ago and my answer was that I believe the sanctions will last three years, the same as Yugoslavia,” he told Russian outlet Sport Express during a trip to Moscow to attend the VTB United League All-Star Game 2025, “Are you following what’s happening the last 48 hours in geopolitics? I’m more and more confident that we will see this happening.”
“If you noticed in recent EuroLeague board meetings, they are discussing an expansion to 20 teams,” he referred to the plan revealed by Eurohoops, “I return the question now, why do you think the Euroleague wants to expand to 20 clubs? To make room for the two Russian teams.”
Russian teams were disqualified midway through the 2021-22 installment of the EuroLeague, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I think it will be CSKA and Zenit. Of course, Uniсs would also deserve to come back but in the current conditions in the EuroLeague, I don’t see space for three Russian clubs right away to immediately return, but I still believe that in the future three clubs should be back,” added the EHCB boss, “In the first season, I expect Zenit and CSKA to be the returning teams. We need to clear off this historic injustice and I think this is long-awaited. I will be very very happy to see my two friends Andreas Pistiolis and Xavi Pascual next year in the EuroLeague.”
Sasic, 46, also talked about the VTB and Belgrade potentially hosting the VTB United League Supercup.
“I thought that out of every negative, we should take something positive. In this case, VTB should have focused on developing players, referees, and coaches during this period,” he mentioned, “All this has been done. There is improvement in all these areas. Also, the top four clubs in the VTB are definitely at the level of the EuroLeague. For me, it is correct to still rank the VTB as the second strongest league in Europe, after the ACB. Of course, the ACB remains the strongest league. Across national competitions, the VTB is the second strongest league in Europe.”
“Let’s say that this a decision to be made by the VTB. I can only say so much,” he replied to a question about the Supercup heading to the Serbian capital, “I think Belgrade will be ready to host the event. And there are talks about this between VTB and Belgrade. So, it’s quite possible.”