EuroLeague Basketball
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

With regards to Janis Strelnieks’ leg injury, Olympiacos head coach David Blatt was critical of the FIBA World Qualifiers and the problems they cause to the teams.

Here is what the experienced coach said ahead of the “Reds” match against CSKA Moscow on Friday (01/03):

“I’ve spoken on that on more than one occasion. This is a problem that can affect all teams in Europe. In this case, it’s affecting us and it’s not the first time.

What disturbs me the most is that we have been open-minded and helpful to the National Team’s programs understanding that the games are important to the players themselves. We send players to the National Team and suddenly we see them playing 38 or 39 minutes in the game, which they don’t even do in a EuroLeague game.

It makes you wonder want kind of respect and what kind of understanding we’re getting from the other side, the National Team programs. I think it’s terribly irresponsible. I think it’s dangerous to the player. It’s damaging obviously to the team. There isn’t much I can do about it except for me to tell you that I think it’s a lousy thing. Those that are responsible for it should know it,” coach Blatt stated.