By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Multiple delays and an extended halftime break were required for AEK and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to finally be cleared to start the third quarter of Game 2 of the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinals best-of-three series.
Plenty of fans, especially families with little kids hoping to enjoy the game, were forced to instead leave with the situation becoming dangerous inside Ano Liosia Olympic Hall. Serious incidents created by supporters of AEK and traveling loyals of the visitors seem to have been extended outside the gym.
Adding to several issues, burning the flag of Israel peaked excessive reactions from the home side of the awful situation.
Most of the spectators seemed calm, but the few were enough to disrupt the overall feel in the gym, forcing referees to consider options, including suspending the contest.
Following the additional ten-minute delay between the second and third quarters and two brief interruptions of play during the first half, the referees ultimately decided to start the second half with supporters of both teams staying in the gym. Officials of the Jerusalem outfit called for a longer stoppage to empty the gym before the third quarter.
Hapoel Jerusalem reacts to events
The Jerusalem outfit intends to file a complaint, the team later announced. “Hapoel views the difficult events in Athens as nothing less than a terrorist attack on the Israeli fans, who traveled in a large group to support their team, as they have been doing for years,” noted Hapoel addressing the fans.
“Reacting to these events, we reviewed all options in halftime. Removing the Hapoel fans was ruled out due to the fact that Greek fans surrounded them. Also, the police assured us the gym would be cleared following another violent incident,” added the Israeli club, “Hapoel appreciates and supports every fan supporting the team in such difficult conditions and we regret the traumatic experience forced on our dedicated fans. The club will not remain indifferent. We will file a complaint.”
Meanwhile, Hapoel Jerusalem owner, Eyal Chomsky sent a message to the Hapoel fans in which he revealed that they will ask FIBA to void the game. “There was no value of sportsmanship to this game”.
More trouble in Athens
Earlier in the 2022-23 edition of the Champions League, AEK was sanctioned due to similar incidents during the game opposite UnaHotels Reggio Emilia in Gameday 2 of the Regular Season. The team based in Athens played the next three home games behind closed doors and paid a fine of 10,000 euros.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League