By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
During the post-game press conference of the Turkish SuperCup Final between Fenerbahce and Banvit, Zeljko Obradovic once again addressed the issue of the FIBA Windows for the World Cup Qualifiers and the conflicting schedule with the EuroLeague program.
“FIBA does not think of Euroleague or the players. First, NBA players don’t come. There are more than 80 European players in the NBA. Secondly, the players have contracts with the teams and their initial obligations are to be in the training and in the game. That’s why they put the players in a difficult situation. What if a player goes and there is a major injury? Who will cover the contract?” Obradovic said.
Fenerbahce‘s roster includes eight international players (Jan Vesely, Kostas Sloukas, Sinan Guler, Melih Mahmutoglu, Gigi Datome Nicolo Melli, Nikola Kalinic, Marko Guduric) and the most celebrated coach in European basketball mentioned that it’s up to them to choose whether they’ll join their national teams for the World Cup Qualifiers games of November and February.
“It’s a very difficult situation for us. My position is clear on this issue, and I already said to the president. But ultimately the final decision is on the players. In a possible bad situation, either the Federations or the clubs will suffer,” Zoc added.