Basketball Bundesliga
Basketball player Joshiko Saibou has been released from his contract with German club Telekom Baskets Bonn after participating in protests against Covid-19 measures in Berlin. Saibou, previously, had also been posting conspiracy theories about the virus on social media.
Saibou and his girlfriend, Alexandra Wester, shared photos of their participation in the demonstration against Covid-19 measures on social networks. In the photos both were seen without mouth-nose protection and without distance from other people.
"The German clubs are currently working meticulously on hygiene concepts for the fans next season and for special health and safety guidelines," Bonn managing director Wolfgang Wiedlich said in a statement. "Therefore, we can’t be responsible for a permanent risk of infection, which the player Saibou represents to his teammates and other BBL teams."
Alba Berlin won the BBL title for the 9th time with a 75:74 victory against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg Sunday at the Audi Dome in Munich. This title is the second 2019/2020 season silverware for Alba, that in February won the German cup.
The last time the team from Berlin won the German title was back in 2008.
Alba Berlin have beaten EWE Baskets Oldenburg on Wednesday and will now face MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, that the day before won their game against ratiopharm ulm.
The finals will be played in two games, the first one Friday at 18:30(UTC) and the second Sunday at 13:00(UTC).
Berlin does not win the BBL title since 2008, while this could be the first silverware for Ludwigsburg.
The easyCredit BBL starts its semifinals today with a match between MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg and ratiopharm ulm. The game takes place in the Audi Dome, Munich, at 13:00(UTC). The second leg of the semifinal will happen next Tuesday, at 18:30(UTC) also in the Audi Dome.
In the other semifinal EWE Baskets Oldenburg will face ALBA BERLIN, with games happening on Monday and Wednesday at 18:30(UTC).
Bavarian State Government endorsed the easyCredit BBL concept for a playoff tournament to appoint the 2020 German Basketball Champions. The easyCredit BBL Final Tournament 2020 will be played in Munich's Audi Dome by ten teams -- the other seven clubs of the BBL decided not to compete in the tournament
German Basketball paused its competitions on March 8, due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The clubs of easyCredit BBL unanimously agreed in a video conference to end the 2019/2020 season if corresponding official permits for the necessary training and game operations is obtained.
It is planned the season with continue with playoffs at one location with FC Bayern Munich Basketball, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg, HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim, ALBA BERLIN, EWE Baskets Oldenburg, RASTA Vechta, Brose Bamberg, BG Göttingen, ratiopharm ulm and the FRAPORT SKYLINERS.
The location will be announced on Monday, May 4th, 2020.