Basketball: Club anger aimed at Nemeth

THE DISCORD between the Basketball League and the English Basketball Association surrounding England's preparations for next week's European Championship games jumped a few decibels at the weekend as owners and coaches had their say.

Jay Goldberg, the general manager of the Manchester Giants, said: "The whole situation between the EBA and BBL is not good and there are serious issues that need to be resolved sooner rather than later."

Although the League moved games for England's championship fixtures against Switzerland, Slovakia and Latvia between 24 November and 1 December, they will not accommodate England's late request to move matches from next weekend, when the national side play a tournament in Portugal, to accommodate Uni-ball League Trophy and championship matches.

England coach Laszlo Nemeth's championship team may include only three home based players, Yorick Williams (Birmingham Bullets), Steve Bucknall (London Towers) and Ronnie Baker (Giants).

Ed Simons, owner of the London Leopards, said: "We have far more liaison and co-operation now than before, but what is lacking is that Laszlo Nemeth does not work with the coaches and that must change."

Goldberg, an American said: "I can see that a strong national team will benefit the game, but why should we shoot ourselves in the foot and not put out our strongest team?"

Birmingham coach Mike Finger does not want to lose Williams for their game against Thames Valley Tigers as they seek to stay top of the championship's Southern Conference.