Croatian basketball representative Mario Hezonja called the conflict between the Euroleague and FIBA over the competition calendar "ridiculous", which is why he cannot play for Croatia and his club Real Madrid at the same time in three days.
On Thursday in Zagreb, Croatia will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifiers for the European Championship. At the same time, Real Madrid will play a Euroleague match with Berlin's Alba.
The matches of the national teams are organized by FIBA, while the competition of the best European clubs is organized by the Euroleague.
"Does anyone else think it's absolutely ridiculous that there are still scheduling conflicts and no agreement on national team qualifying matches during the season? Feel free to share your opinions on this post," wrote 29-year-old Hezonja on the social network X , and transmitted by HINA.
His teammate at Real, 37-year-old Spanish national team player Sergio Ljulj, responded by posting an emoticon with his hand raised in agreement. The Spaniard also could not play for the national team in the qualifying match in previous years.
Hezonja spoke after the media reported earlier in the day that he would play for Real Madrid against Alba, but that he had received the club's permission to play the return match against BiH three days later in Sarajevo.
Real's spokesman said today that he "doesn't know" whether Hezonja will play for Croatia in the second leg next week. Four days after that, Real Madrid plays a derby against Barcelona, again in the Euroleague.
Selector Josip Sesar included Hezonja in the list of 17 players. He came to terms with his absence in Zagreb, but expects him at the return match in Sarajevo.
BiH coach Adis Bećiragić expects his best player Džanan Musa, who is also a member of Real Madrid, in Sarajevo. Musa injured his ankle twenty days ago and has not played a single game since then. Last Sunday, Bećiragić said on the local television that he hopes for Musa's recovery by the return match with Croatia.
The best of the two matches between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will play at the European Championship next year.
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