Kattash on EL schedule: Not a big deal if we don’t play on Friday for two weeks in EuroLeague

Panathinaikos and Israeli national team head coach, Oded Kattash, gave his opinion on the conflict between FIBA and EuroLeague on the schedule:

Via Eurohoops: “I’ve been a coach with Israel for four years. I understand the EuroLeague schedule. But to be the coach of the national team is very special for everyone. And for the people. We all want to see the best. I haven’t completely understood the issue between the two [FIBA and EuroLeague]. A way must be found for an agreement on the schedule by both of them. We see that we can manage it to some degree. I hope that the whole matter isn’t about politics. A way must be found for EuroLeague players to participate as well. It will be very good for basketball. It’s not a big deal if we don’t play on Friday for two weeks [in EuroLeague]. The coronavirus showed that we can do achieve it.”

Kattash joins Anadolu Efes coach Ergin Ataman, who said the following back in November:

“Euroleague and FIBA must find a solution. The players want to compete with their national team, there’s sentiment involved in playing for the national teams.
We have to give the players a break. Let’s play seven double-game weeks rather than five, let the players play comfortably for their national teams.
We need to promote basketball, and basketball is not played only in the EuroLeague. The national teams are very important.”