The celebration of the players of our national basketball team in Belgium after the victory – reaching the final phase of the World Championship for many also contained a share of bitterness. For those who knew that they would not be at the big holiday, which will be held from August 25 to September 10 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Looks like they were called to sweat and honor the “blue and white”, because some were not allowed to participate.

Cause; That we have come to the point that clubs competing in “closed leagues”, in the Euroleague and the NBA, have the opportunity to prevent their players from participating in the teams of their countries. Simply put, professional over national. Or, to put it better, money is everything.

Well, it is thanks to these inter-club international clubs that clubs all over Europe and America survive. But is it possible that FIBA ​​and, accordingly, the basketball federations of all countries do not foresee this event? What actually cancels “fair competition”.

To embrace this globalization and current professionalism in team sports, the national championships have taken a backseat. However, this did not prevent thousands of fans from all over Europe from coming to the stands and supporting the national teams of their countries. Something similar will happen in Qatar, at the World Cup, which kicks off tomorrow Sunday.

And this proves that in addition to the collective fanaticism “sold” around the world, national teams remain “official favorites” for all nations.