Basketball, Hemofarm miss out on wild card

Euroleague has announced the 22 teams to participate in the competition’s 2009-10 season, as well as the eight teams to begin their campaigns in the qualifying round. Claims that the best team of the regional NLB league that is not already competing in the Euroleague – Serbian side Hemofarm Vrsac – would be awarded a special invite for the participation in Europe’s most lucrative basketball competition have remained only wishful thinking.

Euroleague officials have decided, contrary to some expectations, that the wild card be awarded to German side Alba Berlin and Le Mans (France). The remaining teams to begin their Euroleague campaigns from the Qualifying Round are Benetton (Italy), Maroussi (Greece), Spirou Basket (Belgium), Azovmash (Ukraine), Ventspils (Latvia) and Entente Orleanaise Loiret (France).

The regular season draw is scheduled for 8 July, with 13 teams having long-term A licences, 13 teams with one-year B licences – among which are Partizan Belgrade – and Khimki Moscow with a one-time C licence as last season’s Euro Cup finalists.

The Euroleague qualifying round begins on 29 September, while the first round of the group stage is scheduled for 21 and 22 October.

Sports & Betting News

Archive