By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A coalition of European governing bodies is prepared to stage a walkout at the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2026 if competitors from Russia and Belarus are permitted to play under their national flags.
Reaffirming their joint and unwavering position on Thursday, officials from Nordic, Baltic, and Polish federations declared that the protracted invasion of Ukraine disqualifies both aggressor states from standard international representation.
The aligned nations explicitly retain the authority to forfeit matchups.
“The Nordic, Baltic basketball federations and Polish basketball federation would like to draw the attention of FIBA to the ongoing discussions regarding the potential participation of Russian and Belarusian national teams in the Final stage of the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup.
While no final decision has yet been taken by FIBA regarding the participation of these teams should they qualify for the Final event, we consider it important to clearly communicate our common position in advance.
Our support for Ukraine remains firm, consistent, and unwavering. More than four years after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war continues. Ukrainian athletes, coaches and sports organizations continue to suffer the consequences of Russian aggression, while Belarus remains a supporter and facilitator of that aggression.
We believe that the participation of Russian and Belarusian national teams in international basketball competitions under their national flags, anthems and symbols is unacceptable and contrary to the values of responsibility, solidarity and respect upon which international sport is founded.
We are of the opinion that Russian and Belarusian national teams should not be allowed to participate in FIBA competitions under national symbols for as long as the war against Ukraine continues.
Should FIBA decide to permit the Russian and Belarusian national teams to participate in the Final stage of the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup under its national flag and national symbols, we hereby inform FIBA that the undersigned federations can’t rule out a withdrawal from any game against those national teams and reserve the right to implement appropriate measures in accordance with their respective policies and principles.
While this statement specifically concerns the current FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup competition, it also reflects our broader position regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian national teams in international basketball competitions for the duration of the war against Ukraine.
Danmarks Basketball-Forbund, President Mads Young Christensen
Estonian Basketball Association, President Priit Sarapuu
Basketball Finland, President Timo Elo
Icelandic Basketball Association, President Kristinn Albertsson
Latvian Basketball Association, President Raimonds Vejonis
Lietuva Basketball Association, President Mindaugas Balčiūnas
Norwegian Basketball Federation, President Jan Hendrik Parmann
Polish Basketball Federation, President Grzegorz Bachanski
Swedish Basketball Federation, President Susanne Jidesten
Basketball Federation of Ukraine, President Mykhailo Brodskyi”
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