Zvezda consider skipping ABA League finals amidst schedule conflict / News - Basketnews.com

Zvezda insist to wait for the conclusion of the Serbian League before setting dates for the ABA League finals.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

The schedules of the Adriatic League and Serbian League have become entangled, creating confusion and uncertainty regarding the determination of champions for both competitions.

3-pointers this season

34%8,3Points made:8,3Accuracy:33,8%Place in standings:15Record max:15Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Luca VildozaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade secured a spot in the ABA finals eight days ago but still waiting for their opponents.

Due to a 1-1 tie in the semi-final series between Partizan and Cedevita Olimpija, the decisive Game 3 will only take place on June 6, while the dates of the finals will depend on which team will face the defending champions (Zvezda).

Meanwhile, the group stage of the Serbian League is nearing completion, with Mega Basket already securing a place in the semi-finals. The winner of Group A will face Mega in the semis, and the victor of that series will go on to challenge Crvena Zvezda in the grand final. The final series could end up as early as June 13 and as late as June 18.

Such a situation has caused significant confusion, prompting Red Star to announce that they will prioritize playing the final of the domestic championship first. Only after the conclusion of the Serbian League, Crvena Zvezda will decide on the dates for the ABA League finals.

The club officially states, "The announced start of the ABA League finals, which has not been officially confirmed yet but is expected to be on June 12, will have to wait until the end of the Serbian national championship. Crvena Zvezda has waited long enough and observed how the ABA League's regularity was violated. This time, it's due to an unregulated competition calendar that is determined at the beginning of each league season, not during or at the end."

Additionally, the red-and-white club emphasizes the importance of the Serbian League, not only as the national championship of the country but also because the league has demonstrated its seriousness throughout the season, ensuring the interests of the clubs and the integrity of the competition.

Zvezda further criticizes the frequent postponements and delays in the ABA League. They view this as a scandal and a blow to the league's already damaged reputation and integrity. Crvena Zvezda has no intention of waiting for weeks and weeks for the ABA League to play the final, which, under normal circumstances, should have been finished at least a month ago.

"We will consider any attempt by the ABA League to possibly compromise the calendar of the Serbian League finals by subsequently scheduling matches at the time of those finals as another provocation and an attempt to collapse the ABA League even more," the official announcement reads. "Starting today, Red Star will not speculate at all about the dates and the start of the ABA League final series."

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