After closely monitoring the continuing impact and challenges the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is causing across Europe and the World, IWBF Europe have made the decision to cancel EuroLeague for 2021.
The structure and format of EuroLeague for 2021 had already been altered with the preliminary rounds cancelled with the hope that the situation would allow the IWBF Europe Competitions Commission to arrange special events for clubs in April and May 2021.
However, at an IWBF Europe Competition Commission meeting on 9th January 2021, which included IWBF Europe President, Walter Pfaller, and Secretary General, Petr Tuček, the decision was made that it is not possible to continue with plans to hold club competitions in April and May due to the ongoing uncertainty as to whether restrictions and disruption would have eased by then.
IWBF Europe’s Competition Commission Chair, David Kingstone, stated:
“With sadness we must therefore inform clubs that the planned competition for EuroCup 2021 is cancelled.
“As always, any decision to cancel a competition is not easy but we make it now to protect the health of our athletes and ITOs in the continuing pandemic situation.
“IWBF Europe is grateful to all clubs for their support for EuroCup and their understanding in these difficult times. We hope that we will see all teams back on court soon and playing in EuroCup 2022.”
Full Statement can be found on the IWBF Europe website.
