ECA Shareholders Executive Board announces decisions regarding 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons - May 25, 2020
The Euroleague Commercial Assets Shareholders Executive Board met remotely on Monday, May 25, for the fourth time since the season was suspended on March 12 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) global pandemic.
Following the decision taken on March 12 to temporarily suspend all Euroleague Basketball competitions, the league, clubs, players and all stakeholders have maintained their willingness and continuous efforts to resume the competitions.
Having explored every possible option, the Executive Board has made the decision to cancel the 2019-20 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup, as well as the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament and EuroLeague Academy due to the following considerations:
The health and safety of our athletes, fans, staff, partners and local communities remains our top priority The varied evolution of COVID-19 in different EuroLeague and EuroCup territories does not guarantee that all teams can hold their training camp and prepare for official games under the same conditions The above has resulted in local authorities imposing differing restrictions on the movements of their citizens, with no guarantees that all teams can travel to and from the designated location A reduced training camp schedule compared to the previously approved three weeks minimum would cause an increased injury risk for players For reasons of sporting integrity, all competition system modifications including a reduced number of teams were discarded Despite elaborating an exhaustive medical protocol for the competitions, the medical protocols currently being implemented by public health authorities require a period of self-isolation for any player, coach or referee that tests positive for COVID-19. Therefore, during the past two and a half months the necessary guarantee that the competitions could be completed regularly in July has not been obtained Our decision not to modify self-imposed deadlines - late May for taking a final decision and late July to finish the competitions - in order to avoid changing and impacting the 2020-21 calendar, including domestic league games as well as national team games in summer 2021 In keeping with our continued values of sports integrity and fairness, the Executive Board decided not to recognize any team as the champion for the 2019-20 EuroLeague, nor the EuroCup.
Euroleague Basketball thanks the many cities and regions that have shown their commitment to basketball in recent weeks, including volunteering to host the remaining EuroLeague and EuroCup games with maximum health, safety and operational guarantees, including in several cases, full government support. These candidates have put forth enormous effort and displayed great determination to ensure that every detail was in place to hold a safe and successful end of season.
Statement from Euroleague Basketball President & CEO Jordi Bertomeu:
"Without a doubt, this is the most difficult decision we have had to take in our 20-year history. Due to reasons beyond our control, we have been forced to cut short the most successful and exciting season in European basketball history. This comes after two and a half months in which all the league's stakeholders maintained their determination and exhausted every possible avenue in trying to deliver a complete and uniquely special season to our fans, whose passion is the driving force for all our efforts. That is our commitment and our passion every single season, and so falling short due to forces beyond anyone's control is what saddens us most. Nonetheless, record-breaking data showing how much our fans enjoyed the games to date gives us more energy than ever to start planning for an even better 2020-21 season.
"I am especially proud of how the EuroLeague and EuroCup communities have remained united in incredibly tough times. Proud of our clubs and their ownership for the courage in their decisions and for their generous contributions to their communities in such difficult times. Proud of our commercial partners, who have shown their continued commitment to and belief in our brand and what it represents. Proud of our players, coaches and referees who have been supportive and understanding throughout. Proud of our fans, who have remained close to us and have constantly expressed how much they wanted the competitions to come back. This is an extraordinary community, and we are privileged to be a part of it.
"Obviously, we had many motivations to resume the 2019-20 season, but in such an exceptional situation, we have to put people's health first and ahead of any other interest: our players, our coaches, our referees, our clubs, their staff, our league staff, our broadcasters, and all of their families. By doing so, we stay true to our beliefs and what we stand for.
"In the coming months we only have one mission: to do everything in our power to help our communities come back stronger, and to build the best version of ourselves - on and off the court - for when we can be reunited with the fans. This is not an end, but rather a new beginning.'
Additionally, the Executive Board agreed on the following with regards to the 2020-21 season:
The 2020-21 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season will count upon the participation of the same 18 teams, namely: ALBA Berlin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul, AX Armani Exchange Milan, Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, CSKA Moscow, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Khimki Moscow Region, KIROLBET Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos OPAP Athens, Real Madrid, Valencia Basket, Zalgiris Kaunas and Zenit St Petersburg The 2020-21 7DAYS EuroCup season will reserve guaranteed spots for the eight teams that qualified for the 2019-20 quarterfinals, namely: AS Monaco, Partizan NIS Belgrade, Promitheas Patras, Segafredo Virtus Bologna, Tofas Bursa, Umana Reyer Venezia, Unicaja Malaga and UNICS Kazan. The remaining 16 spots will be awarded to teams qualifying through their domestic leagues' final standings. As in previous seasons the EuroCup Board will propose the final team list for approval by the ECA Shareholders Meeting 2020-21 EuroLeague training camps will run for extended durations compared to previous seasons in order to allow players to recover their physical and mental shape in time for the new season The 2020-21 EuroLeague and EuroCup seasons will start on October 1 and September 30, 2020, respectively, as previously approved. The league and clubs will continue to monitor the evolution of COVID-19, staying in close contact with governments and public health authorities to ensure optimal conditions for all participants when the season starts EuroLeague Basketball and its clubs will devote all possible efforts and launch league-wide and individual actions to support their community's recovery efforts EuroLeague Basketball will explore opportunities to organize a season-opening charity event to celebrate the EuroLeague's return to the court Euroleague Basketball thanks all clubs and players for the incredible and unparalleled spectacle they have put on the floor during the 2019-20 season. All league stakeholders want to express their special gratitude to all the fans who continuously and tirelessly support their clubs and the league. Once again, this season the fans have set all-time records, and their support encourages players, coaches, referees, league and club managers to continue to offer the best of the best in elite competitive basketball. Among the 2019-20 EuroLeague season data highlights*:
15% growth in fan interest across EuroLeague markets, with a positive trend in each one. France, Israel, Turkey, Spain and Germany registered the highest growth rates 15% growth in TV audience, with impressive rises in France, Italy, Israel and Germany Double-digit growth in digital platforms, including followers, reach, video views and engagement, as well as in unique users, pageviews and sessions on euroleague.net 12% growth in attendance and 75% of average arena occupancy *The data, sourced from Nielsen Sports, Blinkfire Analytics and EuroLeague clubs, in order to be comparable audits covers the October-to-March period of each of the last two seasons and therefore excludes the end of the regular season, the playoffs and the Final Four, which traditionally bring further percentage increases in all metrics. In some cases, data from the unfinished 2019-20 season surpasses that of the entire 2018-19 season.
All decisions taken by the Executive Board will be presented at the ECA Shareholders Meeting for formal approval.
Source: Euroleague
Partizan Belgrade wins 2020 ANGT Belgrade - Feb 24, 2020
Belgrade, Serbia - In the opening game of the last day of the Euroleague's 2020 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Asseco Arka Gdynia got its first win at the event, running past Panathinaikos 94-75 to secure seventh place. Asseco displayed a good small-ball game, seven of its players finished in double figures, as all twelve in the roster received playing time. Nikodem Czoska led the winners in scoring with 17 points and six boards, shooting 5-of-7 from the field, while Olaf Perzanowski (2002), a 6-5 perimeter player with good jumping ability and two-way game (a plus shot blocker) finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Asseco's only true center, 6-9 Lukasz Walkowiak (2003) scored 16 points and grabbed five boards. As in the previous days of the tournament, the only light in the tunnel for Panathinaikos came from their best players - Emmanouil Kontoudis and Marios Giotis who recorded 21 points and 30 respectively.
In the game for the fifth place Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana prevailed over Crvena Zvezda 66-59 after a very solid first half performance (43-19). The main motors of the win were Egor Sytnikov who led his team in scoring with 20 points and six boards and Alen Malovcic who recorded a double-double - 16 points and 11 boards (ten fouls drawn, making all of his eight shots from the charity line). Stefan Gontar (2002), a 7-0 center added 11 points, eight boards, three assists, five steals and five turnovers. Marko Mihailovic (2003), a 6-5 shooting guard led Crvena Zvezda in scoring with 14 points and four boards in the loss.
Mega Bemax sealed third place in a game against Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv, after a blowout first quarter (34-16), winning it 96-80. Mihailo Musikic led the winners with the game-high 26 points and six points, shooting 9-of-14 from the field, while his teammate Luka Paunovic had another solid all-around performance at the event, recording 20 points, five boards and eight assists, while shooting 4-of-6 on 3s. Harel Rinski was the highest scorer for Maccabi with 21 points, shooting 4-of-7 on 3s. Amit Aharoni was two rebounds shy away from an impressive triple-double, having 11 points, eight boards and 14 assists.
In the most intriguing and well-anticipated game from the program, Partizan Belgrade outsmarted its opponent CFBB Paris, in front of a packed arena, to secure a 79-67 win. Partizan shared the ball well, creating situations on offense for everyone on the roster to contribute (10-of-11 players who played in the game scored at least four points). The Serbians played with more energy and hustle on both ends of the court from the beginning of the game, showing great competitiveness and toughness. On the other side, Paris relied more on the physical tools of its players, which turned out not sufficient at crucial moments of the game, playing at times too individually, even against double-teaming. Nikola Radovanovic led the winners in scoring with 12 points and five boards, showing his skill to penetrate to the hoop, finishing through contact, shooting 6-of-6 from the charity line. The starting point guard of Partizan, Mihailo Petrovic provided the needed energy on both ends of the floor, pushing his teammates in transition or organizing the game in half-court actions. Petrovic finished the game with eight points, seven assists and four rebounds. Daniel Batcho (204-PF-02) led Paris in scoring with a monstrous double-double - 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Rudy Demahis added 13 points, six assists and four turnovers in the loss.
Rytas defeats Zalgiris for first place and ANGT Finals berth - Feb 10, 2020
U18 Rytas Vilnius clinched a ticket to the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals by knocking off Lithuanian rival U18 Zalgiris Kaunas 63-84 in the ANGT Kaunas first-place game. Azuolas Tubelis (205-F-02) led the way with 25 points and 15 rebounds in compiling a performance index rating of 37 and Augustas Marciulionis (192-G-02) also scored 25 for Rytas, which got 11 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks from Andreas Kalogiros (198-PF-02). The 2012 and 2018 continental champion Rytas advanced to the final eight-team tournament for the eighth time in 18 editions. Rytas will join U18 Herbalife Gran Canaria and U18 Real Madrid, which locked up their trips to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four by finishing first at the ANGT Valencia and ANGT Munich respectively. Mantas Rubstavicius (193-F-02) paced Zalgiris with 20 points with Matas Repsys (204-F-02) and Paulius Murauskas (200-F-04) both chipping in 11 points. Rubstavicius and Repsys both hit three-pointers for Zalgiris while Rytas committed 2 early turnovers in falling behind 8-4. The Zalgiris offense went cold, failing to score for more than 4 minutes while Edgaras Preibys (201-C-02) and Jokubas Rubinas (188-G-02) both hit from long range and Azuolas Tubelis scored 6 points in building an 8-16 lead. Murauskas ended the drought and then scored 5 straight points in a 9-0 finish to the first quarter to even the game at 19-19. Zalgiris could not score for the first 3 minutes of the second quarter while Marciulionis nailed a three for a 19-24 lead. Rubstavicius snapped the rut with a three-pointer of his own and added another triple to put the host side up 25-22. In between those triples, Murauskas picked up his third foul. Azuolas Tubelis followed with a three-point play to put Rytas back ahead and the Vilnius club kept Zalgiris from taking the lead - thanks to a three from Armandas Plintauskas (192-G-02) and despite Rubstavicius scoring 7 points. Azuolas Tubelis's three-point play made it 36-40 at the break. Marciulionis opened the scoring in the second half and a three-pointer by Kalogiros made it 36-45. Zalgiris's chances took a hit with 8 minutes left in the third quarter when leading scorer and rebounder Murauskas picked up his fourth foul. Zalgiris stormed back though with 6 straight points - 4 from Repsys - in cutting the deficit to 44-49. After a timeout, Marciulionis took over with 8 points in a 2-11 surge for a 46-60 lead. The margin was as big as 15 points at 48-63 and Rytas went into the final 10 minutes up 52-63. Dominykas Stenionis started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer and the deficit was down to 55-63. Rytas responded with a 2-14 run for a 57-77 lead with 6 minutes left to finish the game. The lead grew to as many as 23 points and Zalgiris did not get closer than 20 points the rest of the way. Courtesy of: adidasngt.com
Real races past Stellazzurra for ANGT Finals ticket - Jan 19, 2020
Reigning continental champion U18 Real Madrid will have a chance to defend its Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title after clinching first place at the ANGT Munich with an 88-104 victory over U18 Stellazzurra Rome. Konstantin Kostadinov (206-PF-03) led the way with 23 points and 9 rebounds for Real, which has now won the ANGT Munich for all three editions and will play at the ANGT Finals for a seventh straight year. Tristan Tsalikis-Vouktsevits (208-F/C-03) added 19 points and 4 blocks, Eli John Ndiaye (205-C/F-04) had 15 points and 9 rebounds and Urban Klavzar (184-PG-04) chipped in 11 points as Real, which also won the 2015 continental crown, will join U18 Herbalife Gran Canaria at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. The latter qualified when it took first place at the ANGT Valencia. Stellazzurra, which reached the ANGT Championship Game in 2018, was paced by Fedor Zugic (198-G-03) with 26 points while Abramo Canka (199-G-02) talied 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Real opened with the first 4 points of the game but Stellazzurra was not impressed with Canka's dunk and went on an 11-2 run with three-pointers from Leo Menalo and Zugic for an 11-6 lead. Juan Nunez set up a basket and scored one as well in helping Real knot the game at 11-11. Menalo hit another triple and Stellazzurra led 16-13 when Ab Sediq Garuba (190-F-04) scored twice to spark a 2-12 surge, which also included a Klavzar three-pointer and an 18-25 advantage. The Spanish powerhouse led 22-27 after 10 minutes. Kostadinov opened the second quarter with three scores and Klavzar was on target from the outside in another 2-12 run as Real pulled away 24-39. His team needing a score, Canka came up with a three-point play and added another bucket as Stellazzurra pulled within 31-39. After a timeout, Real punched back with 4 points from Matteo Spagnolo (194-PG-03) and yet another Klavzar triple for a 36-50 margin, which was 39-52 at halftime. Canka came out of the break on a mission to get Stellazzurra back into the game and scored 6 points, including 2 free throws after an unsportsmanlike foul. The ensuing possession was a Zugic three-pointer that got the Italian side within 49-52. Zugic hit another long ball and it was 52-54. His next triple got Stellazzurra as close as 55-58. Tsalikis-Vouktsevits helped Real regain control of the game though with 11 points in a 2-17 run for a 57-75 lead. Zugic did knock down another three and Real went ahead 66-81 after 30 minutes. Kostadinov started the final frame with a three-pointer and added another later for a 74-90 advantage with just over 6 minutes left in the game. Matteo Visintin (190-G-04)'s basket cut the gap to 78-90, but Real just had too much firepower and eased to the win. Courtesy of: adidasngt.com
Gran Canaria wins ANGT Valencia to reach ANGT Finals! - Dec 29, 2019
U18 Herbalife Gran Canaria booked its ticket to the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals for the second time by defeating U18 Unicaja Malaga 72-88 in the first-place game of the ANGT Valencia Qualifier on Sunday. Jean Montero (189-G-03) tallied 30 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists as Gran Canaria advanced to the ANGT Finals at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Cologne, Germany in May. Khalifa Diop (211-C-02) chipped in 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and Ruben Lopez (205-C-02) had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Gran Canaria's only previous trip to the finals came in 2009, after going undefeated in the ANGT qualifier in Rome. Unicaja lost despite Javier Rodriguez (190-G-02) picking up 17 points and Yannick Nzosa (213-C-03) adding 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Unicaja has played in the ANGT Finals three times: 2009, 2010 and 2015. Nzosa picked up two early baskets in giving Unicaja a 6-2 lead. Montero's 4 points evened the game at 6-6 but Gran Canaria struggled to get points on the board while another Nzosa score helped Unicaja move ahead 10-6. The islanders got a three-point play from Montero and knotted it 13-13 on Pedro Lopez-Sanvincente's free throws. But Adrian Ramirez hit 2 three-pointers at the other end, the second of them on the first-quarter buzzer, for a 19-15 Unicaja advantage. Gran Canaria held Unicaja scoreless for almost the first 5 minutes of the second quarter as Lopez tallied 4 points for a 19-21 lead. A Montero triple started a 2-8 Gran Canaria spurt to push the difference to 23-29. The Dominican Republic talent added another long ball just before the halftime buzzer for a 29-34 Gran Canaria advantage at the break. Gran Canaria pushed the lead to 33-40 only to see Pablo Sanchez pick up 4 straight points and cut the gap to 39-40. The islanders punched back with a 2-9 surge in which Lopez had 4 points to make it 41-49. The deficit was down to 49-51 until Lopez-Sanvicente scored all 8 points in a 3-8 close to the third quarter for a 52-59 score after 30 minutes. Unicaja failed to score for the first 2 minutes of the final frame and watched Gran Canaria pull away 53-68 after Diop's three-point play. Montero downed another triple and Diop scored twice more in pushing the difference to 60-75. Unicaja scored 5 quick points to pull within 65-75 with 3 minutes left but Diop answered with a dunk and another score and it was 65-79 with 2 minutes to play. Unicaja could not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way. Courtesy of: adidasngt.com
