MIES (Switzerland) - Each week, experts are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase the transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those "tough calls", together with an explanation.

Please find below this week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1: AEK vs SIG Strasbourg - Goaltending

Blue 8 gets a rebound and makes a long pass to Blue 17. Yellow 13 blocks the shot but the referee calls a goaltending violation and awards the field goal. 

Article 31.2.1 Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field goal when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and:

• It is on its downward flight to the basket

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The referee showed an active mindset, expecting what could be expected (block attempt) and being ready to decide if the ball was on its upward or downward flight. The basket counts and will be awarded to Blue 17.

Tough Call 2: Hapoel Unet-Credit Holon vs Pinar Karsiyaka - Foul in the AOS

During a rebound Red 10 taps the ball towards the opponents’ basket when he is fouled by Yellow 32. The referees award a throw-in for the Red team. 

Article 15.1.1 A tap for a field goal is when the ball is directed with the hand(s) towards the opponents' basket.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. Red 10 was in the act of shooting and he should have been awarded 2 free throws.

Tough Call 3: Hapoel Unet-Credit Holon vs Pinar Karsiyaka - Foul in the AOS

Red 22 receives a pass from his teammate number 1 and attempts for a jump shot. While he is airborne the referee calls a personal foul to Yellow 11 for illegal use of hands on the shooter.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The referee shows an active mindset and has an open angle to observe and analyse the shot, following the 1-2-3 protocol for the proper control of shots: observe the shot from the beginning, analyse contacts on hands/arms, body, legs and finally landing. Yellow 11 creates an illegal contact on the shooter’s right arm. Therefore, Red 22 shall attempt three free throws because the shot was not successful.