By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
One of the most important news stories back in the summer of 2023 was the joint decision between FIBA and EuroLeague to have only one “window” in Europe during the season. National teams games were held only during February, and no EuroLeague games were scheduled simultaneously.
One year later, we are almost back where we started. Yes, there will be no overlapping games during the February window, but that’s not the case for November.
This week almost after two years EuroLeague and national team games will coincide on Thursday and Friday, despite the ongoing discussion on all matters concerning the international governing body of the sport and the top league in Europe.
The fact that things are different in November and February makes the whole situation even more peculiar, proving that you can have ongoing discussions with no results.
From the EuroLeague’s side the justification for the demand is obvious, the continuation of what started last season.
On the other hand. FIBA insists that on their four-year cycle, they can accommodate the EuroLeague only once and not banish forever the November window in Europe.
To be exact, FIBA has proposed a bigger pause of the EuroLeague season in February and no window in November. If that was not possible, then to have EuroLeague games played this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.
EuroLeague replied that the calendar was already full with double weeks, so the players have already a heavy load, and it was not possible to have a bigger pause than the one that already exists on February.
Once more it’s a stalemate, which also proves that all the talks about collaboration, or even a merger between the EuroCup and the Basketball Champions League are premature, to say the least.
All those issues are on the table, however, that doesn’t mean that there’s any progress. On the contrary, we might even see backward steps before and if there’s finally an agreement that settles first and foremost the calendar issue once and for all.
As usual, the NBA, despite having all the major European stars playing in the US, is not part of those discussions, and the NBA players are “protected” from in-season demands to play on their national teams.
That leaves EuroLeague clubs, coaches, and players in the middle.
As Greek national team coach Vassilis Spanoulis said about his non-EuroLeague players for the upcoming games: “Those who are here have proven that they deserve to be here and this process has produced several players who have made the final roster of major tournaments. It is a great motivation and an opportunity for many players to show their worth”.
On the other hand, however, with EuroLeague players expected to join the team for Sunday’s game against Great Britain, Spanoulis also thanked “Olympiacos and Panathinaikos for giving players to the national team and we will see who will be available”.
At least, the Greek EuroLeague players will compete at a home game in Thessaloniki and avoid a long travel.
In other cases, this arrangement is not ideal, as happened with Mario Hezonja who is expected to play with the Croatian national team and travel to Bosnia for Sunday’s game after playing in Madrid on Thursday night against ALBA.
Hezonja made a simple question on Twitter and the answer is obvious: “Is there anyone else who thinks it is absolutely ridiculous that there are still schedule conflicts and no agreement about NT qualifying games during the season?”