Basketball European Championship 2022 in Germany: Short

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German fans in the quarterfinals of the European Basketball Championship against Greece

Photo: Maja Hitij / Getty Images

Short-term changes to the start times caused trouble among the fans at the basketball championships in Berlin.

The quarter-final between Germany and Greece was moved from 5.15 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. just a few days beforehand on Tuesday, which is why ticket holders for the early game suddenly no longer had tickets for the German quarter-finals, but for Spain versus Finland.

There is now a debate between the German Basketball Association (DBB) and the world association Fiba as to who is responsible for the anger of the spectators.

According to a report by the »Rheinische Post«, the DBB criticizes Fiba and speaks of an »unannounced« change of session, which was the origin of the situation.

Unlike major football tournaments, it is not clear before the start of the competition which knockout game will be played and when.

For the final round in Berlin, the specifications were only made during the tournament.

This is a normal procedure for the world association Fiba.

"The game plan published in advance expressly provided for a 'to be confirmed' order for the games after the group phase," said Fiba.

It was a mistake by the "local organizing committee of the host countries" if specific games were specified in advance.

As can be seen in the »Rheinische Post«, the ticket of a disappointed visitor does not only contain the time, but also the imprint of which round of 16 winners would meet in the quarter-finals.

According to his ticket, that would have been Germany and Greece, he got to see Spain and Finland.

Ticket partner sees the world association as the culprit

Ticket partner Eventim had stuck to the tournament tree planned by Fiba with its "sessions", i.e. game pairings at noon and evening, and sold corresponding packages.

"If we had had to expect a complete session change, coordinated ticket sales in advance would have been impossible," the "Rheinische Post" quoted the ticket organizer as saying.

The TV markets in particular play a major role in the precise timing.

Germany's semi-final against Spain on Friday was originally planned for the late afternoon (5.15 p.m.), but is now taking place at 8.30 p.m. (TV: RTL/Magentasport).

mfu/dpa