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 last week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1: Juventus Utena v EWE Baskets Oldenburg - Block foul

White 23 has the ball in the low-post and start advancing to the basket. Defender Blue 4 makes a hard defence resulting in White 23 to create an illegal contact with his head (first contact), and an offensive foul should be called. Even if Blue 4 is inside the no-charge semi-circle, the rule is not valid due to the fact that White 23 is not an airborne player.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by referees

Tough Call 2: Stelmet Enea Zielona Gora v Nanterre 92 - Charge

Green 4 receives a pass in the key and advances to the basket, creating a contact with defensive player White 9 who is in the legal guarding position. The contact created by Green 4 is not marginal and affects the play, and therefore is illegal and an offensive foul should be called on Green 4.

Outcome: Correct decision by referees

Tough Call 3: medi Bayreuth v Umana Reyer Venezia - Charge

In the transition, White 14 receives the ball in motion and is not able to see defensive player Red 11 who is stationary in legal guarding position. White 14 charges on defensive player illegally and an offensive foul should be called on White 14 in this obvious situation.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by referees

Tough Call 4: Sidigas Avellino v Aris - Illegal screen

During the transition close to the side line, Black 31 sets a screen on White 1. Just prior the contact, Black 31 turns his body resulting a contact with his left shoulder to White 1’s face. This is an illegal screen and an offensive foul should be called on Black 31.

Outcome: Correct decision by referees

Tough Call 5: Movistar Estudiantes v Banvit - Unsportsmanlike foul

In the rebound situation, White 14 grabs the ball. When he starts to advance to the basket, he is fouled, which is not called (missed) by Black 8 (left foot) and falls down the floor. After that, he loses the ball and when black team starts their transition, White 14 -still on the floor- trips Black 8 with his right foot. This is an Unsportsmanlike Foul according to the criteria “not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules” (C1).

Outcome: Correct decision by referees

Tough Call 6: Oostende v CEZ Nymburk - Unsportsmanlike foul

In the transition by Black team, Yellow 13 creates an illegal contact on the dribbler, on the front court, and a foul is called. The action by Yellow 13 is an unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition (C3) and an Unsportsmanlike Foul should be called on Yellow 13.

Outcome: Correct decision by referees