By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Twelve out of the 13 teams of the Israeli League registered for their participation in the Balkan League as it was announced Friday, following the Israeli Parliament’s decision to only allow Israeli European competition teams to conduct their activities, as reported by Roi Cohen. This decision will allow all teams in Israel to resume practices in the COVID-19 era and will effectively save the season from being canceled.
Maccabi Tel Aviv is the only team from the Israeli league which will not compete in the Balkan League.
The games will start during the month of October as the 12 Israeli teams will be divided into four groups with three teams in each group. Each team will play 4 games in the early stage. Then the winners of the four groups will be split into two pairs which will play home and away games to determine the two winners that will advance to the second round and face the teams from the Balkans. Then the competition will continue with two groups of 3 teams, quarter-finals and Final Four in April 2021.
The Chairman of the Israeli league Shmuel Frenkel mentioned “It is a great honor for us to join the Balkan League. During this difficult period, the principal and the teams are committed to the continued existence of Israeli basketball for the benefit of the industry and the many fans who are thirsty for Israeli basketball. ”
Sports Director of BIBL – Shay Shtriks also commented: ”BIBL is more than happy to register the 12 Israeli teams for season 2020-21. In this very challenging time, we have the obligation to support and to cooperate for the benefit of the basketball. The most important thing is to have quality Israeli and international basketball