The suspense was tenuous, but on Monday May 25, it was gone for European basketball fans. The Euroleague has been definitively stopped this season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Euroleague Basketball announced in a statement on Monday. The main continental basketball championship therefore finds its epilogue six days before the end of the regular season.
"After exploring all the possible options, the executive office has decided to cancel the 2019-2020 Euroleague, as well as the Eurocup (the 2e continental level) ", said the body responsible for the two most important European basketball competitions. "It is arguably the most difficult decision we have had to make in twenty years of existence. For reasons beyond our control, we were forced to stop the most exciting competition in European basketball history ", regretted Jordi Bertomeu, head of Euroleague Basketball.
"A logical decision" for Tony Parker
The majority of players in the Euroleague (ELPA) have spoken out against the season. After 28 days of regular season, Efes Istanbul took the lead, with 24 wins for 4 losses, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona (22 wins).
For the 2020-2021 season, the 18 clubs of this now canceled exercise are qualified, notably the Asvel, which appeared in this new Euroleague formula in almost closed mode. Tony Parker's club wrapped up at 15e place, with 10 wins for 18 losses, three lengths from 7e and 8e places, the last two qualifiers for the quarter-finals.
The NBA neo-retiree said in a statement on Monday that the Euroleague decision was "A logical decision" whose club declared itself "United".
"Given the health crisis across Europe, and as we have already mentioned, basketball does not seem to be a priority at all. "
💬 @tonyparker – President of LDLC ASVEL #LDLCASVEL #EuroLeague https://t.co/lcRzFia7SC
