An unusual incident unfolded ahead of the EuroCup game between Esenler Erokspor and Azerbaijani side Gence. Gence coach Martin Knezevic claimed that five of his players were injured when an elevator at the team’s hotel in Istanbul plunged three floors. Despite the club’s request, however, FIBA refused to postpone the game.
Gence went on to lose 92-63 to Erokspor in its opening Group C game. Twelve players were listed on the Azerbaijani team’s roster, but only 10 took the court. Two did not play at all, while Aydin Ibrahimov saw just two minutes and nine seconds of action.
After the game, Knezevic revealed on Facebook what his team had gone through the previous evening.
“I am not surprised by the final result against Erokspor, considering that five of our players were injured when the elevator crashed at the team hotel last night - the same cheap hotel that Erokspor arranged for us,” he wrote.
“My guys fell three floors and are lucky they did not suffer injuries that would change their lives,” the coach added, before turning his criticism toward FIBA: “And thank you to FIBA for ignoring our request to postpone the game when several players were unable to play. You are the best.”
Despite the circumstances, Gence took the court and played the game. Kobe McGee led the team with 16 points, while Latavious Mitchell added 13 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Ellington finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
For the winners, Kevin Yebo led the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while veteran guard Errick McCollum added 15 points. FIBA approved the final result, with Erokspor winning 92-63.