The most affected clubs by the Coronavirus in European basketball
Everybody is suffering the Covid-19 effects from fans to players, managers and all the staff involved in sports, not only in basketball. But today I will speak about some clubs that are affected the most by the crisis. There are exactly the teams that this season could prove something, the clubs that made a huge investment to bring in expensive players and coaches in order to win trophies. I will write down the most important of them, without establishing a strict ranking.
Pinar Karsiyaka
The Turkish club is by far the favorite to win the FIBA Europe Cup. Their roster is the most valuable in the entire competition and their coach Ufuk Sarica – a key to success. The team is occupying as well the 2nd spot in the domestic league of Turkey, where they have a big chance to enter the Finals.
Casademont Zaragoza and Turk Telekom
Both teams have an excellent season in Basketball Champions League, where they aim for the Final 4 presence and if possible to organize it and win it. They have build strong rosters and definitely this had to be one of their best years.
Virtus Bologna
They missed the CUP trophy, but they are no. 1 in Italian championship. By far the most impressive team of the season in Legabasket, with a huge budget, ambitions, amazing roster and reputed coach in Sasha Djordjevic. At the moment, the board of the Italian league is still confident in spite of Coronavirus spread that the league can continue later, ending around 30th of June.
Anadolu Efes and FC Barcelona
These are the best teams of the season in the Euroleague and for both of them the cancellation of the season will be a disaster. They invested a lot of money, being very close to make history in the European basketball. As well in their domestic league, these two powerhouses have to first chance to lift the title.
Last but not least, Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James will lose a golden opportunity to win the NBA if the season will be cancelled.
Photo: Euroleague
Gratian Cormos
