2020-04-17T12:01:54+00:00

2020-04-17T12:01:54+00:00

2020-04-17T12:01:54+00:00.

By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

The Basketball Champions League 2019-20 edition sported a solid ERA Nymburk run. The Czech Republic outlet won its first BCL playoffs series setting up a quarterfinals collision with AEK. However, the coronavirus pandemic paused the season, at least until September and the since scheduled Final Eight.

Players and management preferred other options but ultimately welcomed the decision to schedule the remaining games in a single location under this alternative format. BCL is hoping to announce the Final Eight venue by the end of May.

The 2019-20 NBL season was canceled on March 18. Nymburk was still undefeated in the Czech national league en route to its 17th consecutive domestic title. Basketball Champions League opted for a final tournament in September.

“We all want this season to finish with games. And I understand that it will not be possible in the summer. But it is important to realize that contracts of many players end now in the summer,” Jaromir Bohacik pointed out to Eurohoops, “There will be many changes, in this situation may be more than usual. That is why the final tournament in September will be for completely different teams than it would be now.”

“Teams will have different rosters, other players, maybe other coaches, so they will be completely different teams than now,” captain Petr Benda told Eurohoops, “there are sponsors who want it to have an outcome, which I can understand. But from the player’s point of view, this seems like an unfortunate decision.”

Benda and Bohacik throwing in the possibility of massive roster adjustments for the Final Eight participants is a concern for Nymburk and more teammates agree.

“The roster of the teams will be completely different because the new season will start,” added Martin Peterka, “It’s a strange decision. I understand they need to finish it, but it doesn’t seem like a good idea to me.”

The team coached by Oren Amiel scored a league-high 12 wins in the Regular Season securing the home-court advantage up to the Final Four and extended its impressive run with a two-game sweep over Teskut Bandirma.

“This tournament at the end of September can be a big unknown,” added Martin Kriz, “First place prize money is one million euros, which I think is a lot of money for all teams. So I’m afraid of big player additions just because of this tournament.”

Kriz, 26, has been with Nymburk since 2011. In general, Nymburk opts to hold on to domestic players in a direct link to the Czech Republic national team. However, personnel changes in the coming months may affect his side as well.

“We don’t know how our team will look like,” he admitted, “but we will definitely accept any decision of the competition management and try to grab the best possible result.”

Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League

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