The war is over but not for FIBA!

[yellow hani]

fair and sqare

from what I know sport should be a fair competition wwhaere both sides that are competing against each other should have the same terms and conditions so it is only fair if you force one team to host their game out side of their country then you should do the same with the rival team. the only fair thing to do is to have all of the Israeli NT's games in a nuetral place including the games where they are the guests. If you ask me that's the most fair thing to do if they won't except to bring the games back to israel. and the same goes to our football teams.

[Juan Carlos Nadal]

nope - and we'll probably play all three games abroad - sofia will host the games so if you're around (jcn?) you might pop in and watch some b-ball at the end of the month.

Given that I want to watch some live action I may actually go and watch Israel's games.

Just checked the dates. Actually I am going to be in Sofia only for the game against FYROM (13/9) so I may pop in. I won't be in Bulgaria for the rest of the games though.

[Civilis]

from what I know sport should be a fair competition wwhaere both sides that are competing against each other should have the same terms and conditions so it is only fair if you force one team to host their game out side of their country then you should do the same with the rival team. the only fair thing to do is to have all of the Israeli NT's games in a nuetral place including the games where they are the guests. If you ask me that's the most fair thing to do if they won't except to bring the games back to israel. and the same goes to our football teams.

You should not think about FAIRNESS only from your own perspective, otherwise things become UNFAIR

Why should other teams suffer due to the lack of stability in Israel by playing their home matches abroad? Why should they denounce the support of their home crowds? And in general if such claims persist maybe Euroleague can survive without "precious and unique" Maccabi? Life can continue in European basketball without one yellow team (sorry if I exaggerate) if these are the terms of "fairness".

I like the song by De-Phazz "You're so special, just like anybody else"

[Czarkazem13]

thx
im sure if our basketball teams met we will beat u
but i think it wont happen. due to the politics in the region

LOL...Wishfull thinking...

You can keep dreaming about beating us in Basketball.
Your star, Al-Khatib could play at most as a average player in the Israeli first league.
The fact that you made it to the WC (just because we play in Europe, if Israel was playing in Asia - and all the countries would like to play against us - We could win the Asian Championship) dosen't make you better than half of european NTeams.

Fadi is better then most Israeli players. Definitely better then average. Though, if Israel played in Asia (like she should) then Israel would be the second best (hell we can beat China too) team in Asia.

[SHARP]

Thats right
I think if Lebanon be in Europe bball team dont be in Eurobaskets final round at all.

[SHARP]

Why should other teams suffer due to the lack of stability in Israel by playing their home matches abroad? Why should they denounce the support of their home crowds? And in general if such claims persist maybe Euroleague can survive without "precious and unique" Maccabi? Life can continue in European basketball without one yellow team (sorry if I exaggerate) if these are the terms of "fairness".

Life can continue in European basketball without one green team

[Arik]

Life can continue in European basketball without ...

I don't think we have to reply to such kind of provocations.
Israel is part of all European sports competitions for many years because of historic, political, cultural or other reasons even before most of the members on the forum were born.

[rikhardur]

Israel is part of all European sports competitions for many years because of historic, political, cultural or other reasons even before most of the members on the forum were born.

That's a thing I never understood, perhaps one of the Israelis here can explain that to me: Why is Israel a "part" of Europe in many areas (sports in this particular case), although its location is in the middle east? Why doesn't Israel play in Asian leagues and so? I heard an explanation some time ago that stated that long ago Arab countries refused to participate in competitions where Israel participated too. Is this the reason? I'd be thankful if someone could explain it to me

[Czarkazem13]

I don't think we have to reply to such kind of provocations.
Israel is part of all European sports competitions for many years because of historic, political, cultural or other reasons even before most of the members on the forum were born.

Less then half of Israelis have "historic, politica...." ties with Europe. Israel is an Asian country. Even the Ashkenazim who made up the modern Zionist movement wanted to be apart with their "Semitic cousins" the Arabs and not the Europeans. In Europe, the Jews were considered "pale Africans" or "Orienals." Like the Gypsies (Roma...) they were never considered real Europeans (coming from North Africa and/or the Middle East).

That's a thing I never understood, perhaps one of the Israelis here can explain that to me: Why is Israel a "part" of Europe in many areas (sports in this particular case), although its location is in the middle east? Why doesn't Israel play in Asian leagues and so? I heard an explanation some time ago that stated that long ago Arab countries refused to participate in competitions where Israel participated too. Is this the reason? I'd be thankful if someone could explain it to me

Muslim nations refused to recognize Israel. So Israel started playing in Euro competitions where the countries recognized Israel (didn't have to like, just admit Israel exists...).

[Arik]

Everybody who will visit countries like Jordan and Egypt or even will go to Arab villages inside Israel will easily understand we're from different cultures.
BTW we aren't only Asian country that plays in Europe. Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cypros and even Kazakhstan play in Europe.

[rchos7]

Everybody who will visit countries like Jordan and Egypt or even will go to Arab villages inside Israel will easily understand we're from different cultures.
BTW we aren't only Asian country that plays in Europe. Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cypros and even Kazakhstan play in Europe.

for really different reasons!
and according to european union cyprus is in europe!you can't change that!like it or not.

[Maroun]

Thats right
I think if Lebanon be in Europe bball team dont be in Eurobaskets final round at all.

heard an explanation some time ago that stated that long ago Arab countries refused to participate in competitions where Israel participated too. Is this the reason? I'd be thankful if someone could explain it to me

Eurobasket 1949
The Lebanese made their debut in the European championship tournaments with Eurobasket 1949, held in Cairo, Egypt. They lost all six of their games in the seven team round robin tournament, finishing in 7th and last place.

The refusal of the Soviet Union to host the competition and FIBA Europe's unwillingness to ask Czechoslovakia to host consecutive tournaments meant that 1947 bronze medallist Egypt hosted the competition. Due to travel difficulties and fears, few European teams would travel to the African country to compete. Lebanon, as well as Syria, were asked to compete in the European championship despite being Asian countries.


Eurobasket 1953
Lebanon played in the European competition again at Eurobasket 1953 in Moscow. They lost all four of their preliminary round, including one by forfeit as the team refused to play against Israel. The team was able to defeat Sweden in the first classification round, giving them their first Eurobasket win. They placed 4th in their five-team group, advancing to the 13-16 classification games. They lost the first 58-56 to West Germany, but won against Denmark 74-40 to take 15th place of the 17 teams.

[Civilis]

Life can continue in European basketball without one green team

If you mean Zalgiris, we have never made any ridiculous claims, and I cannot imagine that if some instability happens in my country FIBA would tell other teams play their home games in some neutral arena. They would simply say "no" to our participation in the competition as a whole.

[Digdis]

Now it's closed - Israel will "host" the games in Sofia according to FIBA's final decision (following Israel's appeal to reconsider this decision). FIBA said it hadn't reconsidered the improving security state in Israel at all, but its decision relied on the fact Israel had already agreed to host the games in Sofia, so FIBA had nothing to do but to approve it.
This is yet another proof for FIBA being one of the most shamefully stupid sport associations. Nothing else to say.