For the Olympiacos players there was an improvised plan. They would travel to Milan the same Thursday, just a few hours before their duel against the Armani. From the airport to the pavilion, departure behind closed doors and return to Malpensa to return to Athens. Ultimately it will not be so, because the Greek government was not for the work. After the duel was canceled due to the red alert in the northern Italian zone, both teams will travel to Berlin , where they will play their match on Friday, also without an audience.

It is one more patch to the unusual situation that is causing the coronavirus crisis in European sport. And basketball, with its impossible calendar in itself, is in a real bind. Because there are no band-aids for so much mismatch and the general situation does not seem to be resolved in the short term.

For the moment, the Euroleague decided that all the matches that had to be played in Italy until April 11 will be outside the country . The measure, which also affects Eurocup matches - next week starts the quarter crosses - has two other Italian teams involved. Virtus Bologna, who will face off against Monaco and Unama Reyer Venezia, whose rival is Unicaja.

Given so many changes to the race and with the cases of coronavirus multiplying also in other countries, such as Spain, the uncertainty hangs over the teams. Because the competition begins to be distorted by force majeure, with some teams playing their home games in another country, others without an audience, some with full stands ...

The empty WiZink

Although the Euroleague players' union, whose president in Bostjan Nachbar, has yet to comment on the measures being carried out by the maximum continental competition, the feeling of many of the protagonists is that it will finally end up being suspended . For the moment, the Euroleague has also taken another series of general measures. Journalists' access to the changing rooms and mixed areas is canceled and they must remain at least a meter and a half away with the players and coaches during press conferences.

In the midst of this concern, day 29 arrives. Tonight (9:00 p.m., DAZN), in a completely empty WiZink for the first time, Real Madrid receives the Red Star - it comes from surprising Maccabi - in the midst of seeking to seal his post among the first four to enjoy the field factor in the quarter crossing. And in the middle of a streak of seven consecutive wins, despite the numerous losses. “They are two victories from the playoff despite being in position 14. For them it is an important game and also for us in order to continue aspiring to the field factor. With three games we would be mathematically in the top four », Pablo Laso explained yesterday, aware that reaching the leadership of Efes seems complicated with only six days to play. The white coach is still unable to count on Randolph or Llull and will decide his 12 today.

Precisely the Turkish team receives Valencia (6.30 pm), without restrictions in the stands. And Maccabi, fifth classified, to Baskonia (20.05 h.). Israel has prohibited the arrival of people from the red zone, although it has made an exception with the Vitorian team, which has been waiting since yesterday in a hotel closed only for them. Once the game is over, they will be taken directly from the pavilion to the airport. On Friday, Barça welcome Zalgiris to an empty door at the Palau.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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  • Pablo Laso Biurrún
  • Real Madrid
  • Berlin
  • Spain
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • sports
  • Euroleague

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