With the latest evolution to Euroleague format discussions having grown just one week old, some new changes could yet occur. After the trouble between two concerned French teams (SLUC Nancy voting “no” on the latest proposition, and ASVEL Villeurbanne voting in favor of the original 2008 model), Jordi Bertomeu himself sent out a press release to the French media clarifying the situation for the French teams.
Bertomeu speaks out clearly as to his problem with France and the Euroleague, stating that ASVEL was the ideal candidate for an A License because the team is located in an interesting geographical area with good potential, supported by the local authorities, and has management with clear and professional projections. However, the nay vote from the French league plus the last-minute voting change by SLUC Nancy (in order to protect their own chances to participate in the 2009/10 edition of the Euroleague), and the adoption of new criteria for A Licenses based on sportive results mainly put an end to ASVEL’s dreams of getting an A License.
Following very closely what happened after the vote in France, the Euroleague made a new proposition to the French teams because
the French basketball has always counted a lot in the development of the different European competitions.
This is why Jordi Bertomeu further declares in his press release:
The Euroleague and France need to continue their collaboration. The original proposition (from 2008) can be used again in the future if the conditions for a consensus are there again. At the current moment, despite the two negative votes coming from France (the league and SLUC Nancy), the possibility to guarantee a place for a French team in the Qualification round through a Wildcard remains up to date. With this Wildcard, this spot, together with those attributed to France, could be a spot for a third French team in Euroleague.
In clear terms, it looks like France will get two of the eight spots in the qualification round beyond the spot guaranteed the French champion in the License B criteria teams.
