The VTB United League General Director Ilona Korstin summarized the results of the League Board Meeting:
– While the Euroleague refuses to allow our Russian clubs to participate in its competition, the VTB United League is developing very strongly. Last season, we had a record number of games. When European competitions left Russia, we began to actively change the format and increase the number of games. We filled all the vacant slots on the days when our teams used to play in the Euroleague and EuroCup. This means that, if desired, the VTB League can be watched almost every day.
Next year, we will have a very busy schedule. There will be a lot of games, no less than this season. And we are also planning to hold the partner Cup during our regular season. Therefore, it was impossible to keep the play-in format. I am sure that we will have many interesting games that fans will watch, look forward to and appreciate.
Some clubs, especially those that were aiming to reach the Finals, suggested reducing the number of games in the 3rd Place Seires. Specifically, in the case of the Zenit vs. Lokomotiv Kuban Semifinal series, it was physically and emotionally very intense. One team made it to the Finals and the other did not. Lokomotiv was devastated, and it was difficult to play in 3rd Place Series, which is why they proposed reducing the number of games in this series. But we don’t know what will happen next season. Lokomotiv Kuban is proposing changes based on this season, but next season the team may play in the Finals, or may not make it to the Finals or the 3rd Place Series at all. As the League, we must analyze the entire situation and look at it more broadly and globally, because we know that the 3rd Place Series is very interesting. It attracted a huge number of fans and TV viewers. Many fans watched it in the arenas. The interest was enormous. Therefore, we will definitely not cancel the bronze series; the same format of up to 3 wins will remain.
