Hapoel Tel Aviv Chairman: EuroLeague Games Could Soon Return to Israel

Are EuroLeague games involving Israeli teams about to return to Israel? Hapoel Tel Aviv Basketball Chairman Stav Shaham addressed this possibility during the radio show "Osim Sport" on Galei Tzahal, declaring: "I will meet with the EuroLeague owners - I believe the games will return to the country soon."

This statement comes against the backdrop of the EuroLeague management's recent decision not to hold games in Israel due to security and safety considerations related to the security situation and the war in the region. Consequently, the home games of Israeli teams in European competitions were moved to neutral arenas outside of Israel.

The EuroLeague management is required to continuously assess the security situation and the risks involved in foreign teams, coaching staffs, and referees traveling to Israel. Alongside safety considerations, there are additional difficulties for European clubs, including insurance limitations regarding flights to conflict zones and flight cancellations by foreign airlines to Israel.

Additionally, some European clubs have objected to their teams traveling to Israel during periods of security escalation and have exerted pressure on the league management regarding this issue. As a result, one of the solutions established was moving the "home" games of Israeli teams to neutral halls abroad, including Belgrade in Serbia and Sofia in Bulgaria.

Now, against the backdrop of relative calm in the region, the possibility arises that the EuroLeague management will re-examine holding games in Israel. Shaham's remarks indicate that the issue is on the agenda from his perspective, as he is expected to meet with the EuroLeague owners.

If a decision is indeed made to return home games to Israel, it would mark a change from the format established during the period when the security situation prevented European teams from arriving in the country. At this stage, however, no official decision has been announced by the EuroLeague management to return the games to Israel, and the matter remains a possibility being examined against the backdrop of security developments.