By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
NBA players Ivica Zubac and Dario Saric were spotted fighting in Bolivar Beach Bar, a few hours after representing the senior national team of Croatia in the Final of the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus.
On Monday, TMZ Sports published a video showing Zubac of the Los Angeles Clippers and Saric of the Denver Nuggets in a physical altercation at the nightclub near the venue of the OQT, Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF, at around 5:30 AM, local time.
The reason behind the bar fight is unclear, as noted by TMZ Sports. However, Saric and Zubac appear outraged.
Croatia lost to Greece in the Final on Sunday and ranked second, missing the opportunity to clinch a berth in the 2024 Olympic Games. Over four games, Saric averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per contest, and Zubac tallied 22.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest.
In response to the incident and related reports, the Croatian Basketball Federation, HKS, noted players were under attack, verbally and physically, and were forced to defend themselves.
Per the press release: “After the last game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece and a joint dinner, the coach thanked the players for another solid showing and disbanded the national team, since the national team would not return together to Zagreb, but to several separate destinations according to the needs of the players.
After several weeks of demanding practices and games, the players decided to have a farewell gathering before returning to their homes or teams. Hanging out in a club in Athens, some of our players were initially attacked verbally and then physically, which forced them to defend themselves. It was a brief incident due to the intervention of club security.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL