The earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which has left at least 5,000 fatalities, has also paralyzed the sport. The Turkish government announced Monday the suspension of all sports competitions until further notice due to the worst earthquake the country has suffered since 1939.
Among the most outstanding events that have been postponed is the Anadolu Efes-Real Madrid, one of the best games that can be seen in the Euroleague basketball and which was scheduled for next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The scene of the crash is 1,000 kilometers from the area affected by the earthquake. Also in Istanbul another Euroleague game had to be played a day later: Fenerbahce-Armani Milan, which has been postponed like Bursaspor-Bourg from the Eurocup. Bursa, the site of the match, is 900 kilometers from the epicenter of the quake.
“The Euroleague family is shocked by the tragedy and sends its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to all those affected,” says the statement from the highest European basketball competition.
Euroleague Basketball games in Turkey suspended.
The Euroleague Basketball family is deeply saddened by the tragedy in Turkey and neighboring countries. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected by the ongoing tragedy.
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) February 6, 2023
The FIBA Champions League, the third continental basketball competition, also announced the matches of the tournament in which the three Turkish teams were participating, which were to meet this week on the third day of the Top-16 with Spanish representatives: Darussafaka-UCAM Murcia (scheduled for this Tuesday), Bahcesehir Koleji-Manresa (Wednesday) and Unicaja-Galatasaray (Wednesday). The Murcian team was in Istanbul after traveling last Sunday from Malaga. The 22 members of the transferred expedition plan to return to Spain on Wednesday, weather permitting.
The Turkish football league was also forced to postpone the three matches on Monday: Umraniyespor-Adana Demirspor, Fenerbahce-Konyaspor and Giresunspor-Kayserispo. The date on which these meetings will be recovered is still unknown.
The tragedy affects professionals
Goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkarslan, who played for Yeni Malatyaspor in the second Turkish football division, has died in the rubble at the age of 28. On the other hand, Hatay players, a women’s volleyball team, and Marasspor footballers from the Turkish second division are missing.
Christian Atsu, a former Malaga soccer player, was rescued near the Syrian border. The 30-year-old Ghanaian and now in the ranks of Hatayspor of the Turkish Super League, was trapped in the rubble of one of thousands of collapsed buildings, from which two other players and two members of the team’s coaching staff have also been rescued alive.
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Source: EL PAIS
