The German league returns in early June, and Bayern Munich professional manager Marco Pasich is confident it will save basketball • On the Corona crisis: "Hit us hard" • On Euroleague: "It will not be easy to return the factory" • And for the near future: "I predict A market with many surprises in the summer "

• Marco Pasich. Janis Spropoulos did a great job on Maccabi Tel Aviv

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German football was the first to kick the Corona aside when it returned to the fields last Saturday. No crowd in the stands, but to the delight of many who have long waited for this moment.

Now that the appropriate permits have been received, German basketball will also be the first to return to the courts, with June 6, three months after the start of the forced retreat, a season-ending tournament.

"It's a great feeling to see real sports again. From what I understand, everything in football works according to the plans and it fills me with optimism for us as well," said Bayern Munich basketball team manager Marco Pasich, whose club will host the decision tournament.

Like football, everything is ready. As mentioned, a host city has, as well as a neat format and dates. Ten teams will participate in it, which will be divided into two houses and after three weeks of games Germany will be the champion for the 2019 2020 season.

No longer just "son of"

43-year-old Pasich is the next generation of one of Europe's most decorated coaches, Svetislav. The entire family moved from Bosnia to Germany in the late 1980s, where Pasich Sr. coached the national team, which in later years also played Marco, who has long been not just "the son of".

At the beginning of the decade he was named professional manager of Bayern and made the club a prominent name in European basketball as well. Now he is only happy with the return to activity.

Most leagues in Europe have already closed. Why was it so important for you to return the league?

"There is a significant improvement in the country in terms of the Corona. Obviously the economic element is important too, but above all we wanted to keep the basketball alive. If we did not return, a long period without basketball would have been created and it is unclear how all this would develop for the next season. It is a struggle for continuity and existence Of the industry, of our sport. The season finale tournament is a message to our sponsors and above all to the audience, even though he can't attend games. "

Psich Hog with Bayern Munich players. Return to play on June 1st // Photo: Getty Images

Renewing the season is kind of a puzzle?

"Yes. I don't know what it will look like. I don't know what the quality will be. The good thing is that everyone has great motivation. Each of the ten teams can win the title. Everyone starts from scratch. Obviously our goal is to win, but it's hard to tell."

As hosts do you have an advantage?

"The league has decided that this is the best city to host ten teams. Financially, we do not benefit from it. It will be a big challenge."

What is the impact of the Corona crisis on the club?

"It hit us hard. We are constantly trying to find solutions. We lost only 1.5 million euros on ticket sales and this is before the playoff games that were expected of us and all the sponsorship payments. What I fear most about it next season is, we don't know what the budget will be and how Build it. Our key and all of European basketball is the public's question. I really hope things continue to calm down and we won't have a second wave. "

"Maccabi with passion"

Not only does the local league employ Pasic, but the decision will be made on Sunday regarding the return or not of the Euroleague. In this case, too, he admits that it is a riddle: "In the German league I am very much in the details. I don't have enough information about the Euroleague. The plant will not simply be returned, but there are pros who will know how to make the right decision, and just wait for it."

The current Euroleague season has not been particularly successful for the Germans, who were ranked 17th in the penultimate factory. Bayern replaced coach Diane Radonich, who gave way to Oliver Kostich.

Psich explains: "We started out fine, but then injuries hit us. Our problem was that we didn't find our pace and stability and besides wins over Real, Maccabi and Milan, we also had many losses. We will try to learn and do better next season."

Sparopoulos celebrates. "Maccabi has always been capable of attack" // Photo: Alan Shiber

Two years in a row, you surprised Europe with glittering signings by former NBC players who were rated very high in the draft, such as Derek Williams (2) and Greg Monroe (7).

"It was a matter of patience, but also of luck," he says modestly.

Are you making such a surprise next season, too?

"I don't know, but given the situation, I expect a market with many surprises this summer. It will be a different market. We have to be patient, smart and with the best scouting."

What is Bayern's goal for the coming years?

"In 2022, we will have a new hall and then the goal is to be a regular playoff team in Euroleague. When you get to the playoffs anything can happen."

What is your impression of this season's TAs?

"I enjoyed watching her, it's a team with a lot of passion and emotion. Janis Spropoulos did a great job. Maccabi was always talented offensively, but this season they also became a great defensive team."