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The escalation in Russia's attacks on Ukraine in general, and on Kiev and Kharkiv in particular, indicates that the campaign is really far from over.
The Euroleague is one of the only leagues in Europe that has not yet eliminated the Russian teams (CSKA Moscow, Zenit St. Petersburg and Kazan, and the Eurocup Locomotive Cuban), but has only announced their suspension for the coming month.
Turnika Shanglia.
Left CSKA Moscow, Photo: AFP
However, even on a clear day it is difficult to see how the three Russian teams, which are ranked in the top eight, return to the second best league in the world this season.
First, as the fighting progresses and the atrocities unfold - the Russians become assigned, and many groups do not want to compete against them.
In the summer of 1992, Serbia was suspended from world sports facilities following the Balkan Civil War and was allowed to return only three years later.
Also, a large part of the squad members have already left Russia, so it is difficult to see how they will return to power soon.
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In the apparent situation, where the temporary suspension becomes permanent, the Euroleague management will soon be required to announce how it is finishing the season.
Already now the Corona has forced the league to complete 19 games in the coming month, and it is difficult to see how it will bring back the Russians, whose completion of games will double the large number as well.
The first propaganda was that if the Russians were removed from the factory this season, their games this season would be deleted.
This has already angered some of the groups, who claim the distortion.
In such a situation (table attached), teams that have failed on the field will receive a prize.
Bayern Munich, which lost three games to Russia, will jump from 11th place to fifth place (!), Maccabi Tel Aviv (3: 1 balance against the Russians) will jump to seventh place, and the record: Zalgiris Kaunas, Euroleague sluts this season (4-0) And last in the table, suddenly gained a theoretical chance to advance to the playoffs. The Lithuanians have seven more games (five at home and an away game in Vitoria, where they can definitely win). Under the auspices of "Putin", they suddenly discover they have something to fight for this season.
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On the other hand, the teams that beat the Russians are also hurt (Monaco 1: 4, Fenerbahce 0: 3), which is especially annoying.
It is possible that the results will remain as they are, and that all Russian games from now on will be recorded as technical losses.
Maccabi Tel Aviv players, Photo: Alan Shiber
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Another solution that is gaining popularity in the corridors of the Euroleague is the continuation of the league as usual without the Russian teams and the determination of the players for the playoffs according to success rates.
While this will create a situation where not all teams will have the same number of games, at least the decision has been made on the pitch.
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And here is a solution from our beit midrash.
Adoption of the play-in method.
At the end of the season, the teams from 15-10 will play at home and away.
The winners will play against the teams in 9-5 places (in the best of three games method).
The four winners will advance to the playoffs against the teams in 4-1 places.
And most importantly: Stop The War.
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