By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda‘s head coach, Dragan Sakota, discussed his team’s current situation. Attending players and involved staff underwent tests prior to resuming workouts for the first time since the decision to pause the 2019-20 season, but Sakota confessed to Serbian news agency Tanjug that many imported members of the squad are afraid.
“We talk on the phone and exchange messages. There is uncertainty,” the 67-year-old head coach admitted regarding his foreign players, “Everybody is wondering what will happen. Depending on the state, some are more afraid and believe it would be unwise to continue.”
According to the guidelines implemented by the Serbian health authorities, the athletes are allowed to practice outdoors with a restricted number of people including coaches, doctors, and physios permitted to attend the training sessions.
“The logical step was for everyone to undergo tests first, to make sure everything is in order to start training,” pointed out Sakota, “This is some kind of a start, though we are not really sure what will happen. Currently, we can’t practice at the gym, we don’t know if competitions will continue. If they do, it requires a different type of training.”
An 11-17 W-L record had his side in 14th place of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings up to the decision to suspend the campaign, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Provided health concerns are lifted, Belgrade is among the candidates to host a final tournament to conclude the season of Europe’s premier club competition.