The worsening security situation in Eastern Europe, following the Russian army’s invasion of Ukraine, is also beginning to affect Euroleague activity. The league has announced that the three games of the Russian teams scheduled to take place in the next round will be postponed to an unknown date. These are matches between Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow (in Munich), Basconia against Kazan (Vitoria) and Zenit St. Petersburg against Barcelona (in St. Petersburg, tomorrow).
The match scheduled for tonight (Thursday) in Munich between Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow was postponed due to pressure in Germany. The TV channel that was supposed to broadcast the game decided to avoid this as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, He left her a choice.
Barcelona debated for several hours whether to fly to Russia today ahead of their games against Zenit St. Petersburg and CSKA Moscow, and eventually decided in the 90th minute not to take off due to fears of a possible closure of Russian airspace, which could make it difficult for the team to travel back to Spain. And when it happens.
According to reports in Catalonia, even before the decision to postpone the games, the heads of the Euroleague assured Barça that there would be no problem in entering and / or leaving Russia. However, the concerns of the team have not been completely removed, especially with the pair of American players Brandon Davis and Nigel Hayes-Davis, whose entry into the country may be blocked. In addition, forward Alex Abrins expressed his feelings when he tweeted: “Well, it doesn’t really amuse me that I have to fly to Russia today.”
Also, Zalgiris Kaunas has announced that it will compete in all Euroleague matches on Russian soil it has left this season, and general manager Paulius Motionas clarified: “We will offer this to other teams in the factory as well.”