Sicilian team Trapani Shark, which is struggling with financial problems, played a Champions League playoff qualifier against Israeli Hapoel Netanel Holon in Bulgaria with only five players, two of whom were debutants.
Three players were injured, and when a fourth was fouled the referees stopped the game. According to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and its rules, a team must have at least two players on the court.
The match only lasted seven minutes and Holon led 38–5.
The Israeli team was declared the winner of both the match and the tie. A team that fails to complete a match in the playoff qualifiers is automatically declared the loser. Thus, the Israeli team advances to the playoffs.
The future of the Italian club is shrouded in mystery due to financial problems. The club stated that it only played in the match against Holon to avoid a fine of 600,000 euros, equivalent to approximately 6.5 million kronor.
