The opening match for promotion to the quarterfinals of the Basketball Champions League between Hapoel Holon and Trapani Shark lasted only seven minutes.
The visiting Italian team, which is struggling with financial and organizational difficulties, has only one player left on the board.
Trapani arrived at the meeting on neutral ground in Samokov, Bulgaria with five basketball players. Two were from 2007 and 2008 and made their professional debut.
Coach Alex Latini took a rest after a minute and a half, three of his players left the field and the Sicilian team continued with only two.
When one of the youngsters, Matteo Patti, made his fifth personal foul after seven minutes, and only the youngest member of the team, Francesco Martinelli, remained on the field, the referees ended the match. Holon was leading 38-5 at that time. FIBA subsequently announced that the Italian team lost by default and Hapoel is thus the automatic winner of the entire series.
VIDEO: Trapani with two players on the board
In the Italian league, the club has already received a fine of 50,000 euros for not participating in Sunday’s meeting against Virtus Bologna. The match was won 20:0 in favor of the opponent. If Trapani does not play another league match, he is in danger of being expelled from the competition.
Due to financial and administrative irregularities, the club entered Serie A with a four-point deduction and lost another point during the season.
Many players left Trapani due to problems, others are injured. In the Italian league, despite the difficulties, the club is tenth among 16 participants.
