Andreas Zagklis, Secretary General of FIBA, insisted, in an online press conference with media from all over Europe, which is “It is necessary to improve the relationship with the Euroleague”, although he acknowledges that now they speak more than before. “The November Window was a missed opportunity for the Euroleague to show its good faith,” he said. During that break, there were two ‘derbies’ in the maximum continental competition: Fenerbahçe received Anadolu Efes (Turkey lost that same day to Belarus at home) and Asvel Villeurbanne visited the Monaco field (France beat Montenegro at that time). “In the next break, the federations would like to see more signs of good faith.”
Despite rumors that in the future there could be fewer Windows during the club season (currently there are two: February and November), Zagklis explained that it is not true that they are negotiating that possibility. “Two years ago, Germany proposed to play three games in each Window to suppress one, but we insist: It is not a problem about the number of Windows but one of flexibility. We should be concerned with the growth of global basketball, not the schedule. “
Zagklis advocates a union of all levels of basketball. “We cannot afford to be divided because if this happens, young people will turn their backs on us and focus on Netflix or Fortnite, for example. “Hence, he was satisfied with the meeting that FIBA had with the NBA and the Euroleague in October, although “despite being promising talks” no common ground was reached.
With regard the increase in infections around the world and upon the arrival of the omicrón variant, the president confirmed that they have “a plan B” in the face of setbacks. “We have already shown that we are capable of organizing events in bubble format. We have done over 100 in the last few months. We are not worried, but we are cautious“In 2022 the Women’s World Cup in Australia and the men’s continental championships in Europe, Asia and America are to be held.
By last, Zagklis called 2021 “successful”, in which FIBA has recovered part of the losses of 2020, although it hopes to cover that financial hole definitively in 2024. The president also spoke of the growth of women’s basketball (“for the first time there was a woman refereeing a men’s match at the Games”), one of the Federation’s strategic lines, and the good reception of 3×3 at the Tokyo Games, a developing modality.
