Despite hopelessly losing the Lithuanian League (LKL) Finals to Zalgiris,
Lietuvos Rytas is still within a chance of qualifying to Euroleague as the
second-placed Lithuanian team. According to Sport-Express.ru, is quite
different from what we know.
It is claimed that there are only 13 A-license holders, with the license of
Virtus Roma still awaiting the final fate. According to Diego Fernandez of
Euroleague, there are three options: the A-license being distributed to the
best-placed team in the Euroleague ranking, adding an extra team via the
B-license system or give out as a wildcard.
As Sport-Express.ru reports that the only scenario in which Lietuvos Rytas
could not make the list of teams qualifying via the B-license, is if Valencia
advance to the final in Spain.
As previously reported by in-the-game.org, since Khimki obtained both the
B-license by finishing second in the Russian League (PBL) and the C-license by
winning the Eurocup, one of the places will be handed out as a wildcard.
According to Martynas Purlys, who spoke with BasketNews.lt, Lietuvos Rytas
would be a likely candidate to receive the wildcard spot, but it is also too
early to talk about it.
“Lietuvos Rytas is always amongst the teams to get the invitation to
Euroleague. However, since the domestic championships are yet to finish, it is
still not clear, how the places will be distributed. Euroleague reveals this
information only after the end of all European championship,” said Purlys.
In a worst case scenario, Lietuvos Rytas would still play in the Euroleague Qualifying Round, the system of which has also been changed. Only eight teams, instead of sixteen, will make it to the Qualifying Round and will fight for only a single spot in Euroleague, instead of two, like last year.
The changes have been confirmed to be official by Euroleague.
Different Euroleague Qualification Systems:
** If Valencia makes it to the Spanish League final.
