The junior teams of Real Madrid and Valencia Basket have returned to Spain after a harrowing experience in Abu Dhabi, where they were participating in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. Their return follows the suspension of the tournament due to escalating tensions in the region, sparked by attacks in response to actions taken by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Tournament Suspended Amidst Regional Conflict

The Euroliga announced the definitive suspension of the “Next Generation” tournament on Saturday, citing the situation actual in the United Arab Emirates. The decision was made to ensure the safety of all participants after initial reports of attacks in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as detailed by the Iranian news agency Mehr.

A Journey Home via Istanbul

Both teams were confined to their hotel while awaiting the reopening of airspace. The Euroleague chartered a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, as a crucial step in bringing the young players home. From Istanbul, both the Real Madrid and Valencia Basket contingents were able to complete their journey back to Spain on Wednesday.

“Three airports, three stories. They helped us a lot to be home. Abu Dhabi: its hospitality and its impressive air security system. Istanbul: the Euroleague He has behaved like a 10. And Madrid: the club with everything from here and those who were there. TO THEM we owe MUCH AND MORE”

Javi Juárez, coach of the Real Madrid junior team

Moments of Uncertainty and Tension

The situation was not without moments of alarm. During one match, players were instructed to seek shelter after hearing explosions. According to AS Monaco coach Mickael Pivaud, the instruction was Notice bombings, travel to the locker room, hide and don’t go near the windows. Teams were largely confined to their hotel, with some reporting seeing missiles being intercepted from the hotel roof.

Throughout the ordeal, the Euroleague maintained constant communication with the teams and their families, providing updates and reassurance.

Liga U Matches Postponed

The impact of the situation extends beyond the Next Generation Tournament. The Liga U, Spain’s under-22 basketball league, has postponed upcoming matches for both Real Madrid and Valencia Basket. The affected games include the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and the game between Amara Lleida and Valencia Basket. New dates for these matches will be announced soon.