Empty stands, high security precautions – the Telekom Baskets are facing an unusual game in the Champions League. Due to the escalation in the Middle East conflict, the home group game between the defending champions from the Basketball Bundesliga and the Israeli club Hapoel Holon will take place on Wednesday (8 p.m.) without spectators. Due to the current situation, the Basketball Champions League (BCL) had previously postponed Bonn’s first group home game from October 18th to November 1st.
“We have to try to ignore everything that happens off the field during the game. Of course, that’s not easy when you play in an empty hall and think about the increased police presence and all the other security precautions,” said Baskets sports director Savo Milovic.
Because of the war with the Islamist Hamas, five Israeli teams are currently playing their international home games in Cyprus. In addition to Hapoel Holon, there are Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Galil Elion, Herzliya and Ness Ziona. The home game between Veolia Towers Hamburg and Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the Eurocup also took place under strict security precautions.
Even the day before the game, it was still unclear what team strength the 2022 Israeli champions would have in Bonn. Holon was keen to continue the competition despite the adverse circumstances and will play its first game in just over a month on Wednesday.
«In many ways it wasn’t easy to prepare for the game. We also don’t know for sure which players Holon will arrive with. In addition, we will be playing without our fans. “So there are many reasons to focus more on ourselves than usual,” commented Baskets head coach Roel Moors.
2023-10-31 12:14:00
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