In tonight’s Euroleague game between Fenerbahce Ülker and Lietuvos Rytas, something happened that I never saw. In fact, I did not see it either this time because the broadcast ended after the regular time. What happened?
In a game that got closer and closer as the final whistle was approaching, it was all to be decided by a last offense of Istanbul. And Willie Solomon hit the game winner. But it was a decision that was on the edge as the time ran out. As no player of Rytas was complaining, I thought that the shot was good and that the game was set with 81-79.
I switched the channel and watched another game. When I was surfing on the Euroleague website a little later, I saw that the game was marked as having ended 79-79. I was wondering what was going on. And the answer was. the referees were discussing if the last shot was good or not.
But when you check the posts in the different basketball forums, half an hour after the final horn, there were still discussions going on in the arena that in the meantime was totally empty; the fans have gone home. And 45 minutes after the end of the game, the players started to warm up again.
Finally, Fenerbahce managed to win the game in overtime but what a mess about this last shot. Probably, the ULEB wanted to avoid any after game discussions and rematches like there have been already in the recent ULEB Cup season so they preferred to clearly come to the correct decision right after game. So at the end, the game finally ended with a 4 point loss for the Lithuanians 95-91.
EDIT (by Tobias): Jonas Miklovas from the Lithuanian basketball web site BasketNews sent me this email directly after the game:
Drama today in Istanbul. Willie Solomon hit a long two pointer at the buzzer, giving Fenerbahce Ulker a 81-79 victory. But that shot, looking from different angles, seems to be AFTER time. so now referees are discussing for half an hour and decision have been made yet. The commissioner of the game didn’t put his signature under protocol of the game. Rytas officials say they will protest if referees decide to give victory to Turkish team.
I was watching the Euroleague day last night on SKY (Italian TV) and they only showed the Roma – Barcelona game LIVE. After this game was done, they showed the over time of Rytas – Fenerbahce. Since my Italian is not better than “ciao”, “uno, due” and MAYBE “tre” I didn’t understand what was going on but I was wondering why there where maybe 10 visitors at the game – the seats where EMPTY – I mean really empty.
Well now I know why. One thing the Euroleague might want to adapt from the NBA – Instant video review for the referees. Not the best night for Euroleague officials..
