By Yiannis Bouranis/ info@eurohoops.net
Euroleague’s new format is set to take place in September, with Zeljco Obradovic, Xavi Pascual and Dimitris Itoudis talking about the changes the competition decided to make and whether they will be beneficial for the clubs.
Fenerbahce‘s head coach said Euroleague’s new system is certainly a good idea, as there will be more games between the top clubs, however he mentioned that everybody should be patient to see how those changes will work.
The 55-year-old coach added: “Without any question, to have, for sure, in the first part of Euroleague 15 games at home is something that is good for the fans, for the media, for TV, for everybody. I hope that everything will go well and maybe, after that, there is a possibility to have even more teams.”
Moreover, Obradovic stated that Euroleague’s future should include more teams taking part in the league, which will lead to the creation of a great competition. “I also believe Euroleague makes a good step forward every year in order to attract all basketball fans from all over Europe,” said the eight-time Euroleague winner.
For his part, Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Pascual, is also in favour of the new format: “I think it is an important step forward, which will help the league become an even tougher, more competitive and attractive competition.” The Catalan coach added that the new system will have a positive effect on every team, and European basketball in general, as it will be easier to attract more basketball fans from different countries.
CSKA Moscow was one of the eleven squads that signed a new, 10-year, contract with the Euroleague. What does the team’s coach, Dimitris Itoudis, think of the changes Jordi Bertomeu decided to make?
“The round-robin system makes the Euroleague a real championship, because everybody will play with everybody,” he said, adding that “we have to wait to see the calendar for each team, because there are some national leagues that have eighteen clubs, while others have sixteen teams.”
According to the Greek coach, the new championship can be considered a real evolution, because “it is all about basketball. Basketball is playoffs. All of us wish this to succeed and be united and fans to enjoy the best or one of the best amongst the best sports in the world.”