So, can we finally say that Croatian basketball is on good way to return on top?
NT is doing pretty well, even with what was kinda reserve team they did great on Olympics. With Vujčić and some other players returning it should be pretty good team.
Club wise its more interesting, Cibona finally got rid of Miličević and with new management and Peras in charge future looks bright. Some great players returned/joined the club this season and base for building even stronger team next season is there. Also worth mentioning is that Cibona will soon (1 month) have ready brand new 15.5k Arena ready for Euroleague games. Also Bartolomeu mentioned when he was there few weeks ago that they expect Euroleague final 4 to be there in next 5,6 years There were already plans to bid for hosting for 2011 but they skipped that and are now planing to bid to host 2012 final 4.
Zadar also has pretty great team this season. They doubled their salary budget this year, signed multi year contract extensions with their best players (Juby Johnson, Todor Gečevski...) so they also have base for future team sorted out. Also Zadar moved to new 9k Arena (Basketball center Krešimir Ćosić) which looks great
Biggest story tho is basketball club Split. Sleeping giant is on best way to became what it once was. Club and new Spaladium Arena (12k) signed 10 year contract last night with Global Spectrum, multi national company who among others own Philadelphia 76ers. Global Spectrum plans to invest some serious amount of money since as Dino Rađa said their wish is to make the team big in Euro terms again. Good old Gripe hall will be history since january in pro basketball terms and KK Split will only use it for trainings and friendly matches.
New Arenas:
Zadar (9000):
Zagreb (15500):
Split (12000):
NT is doing pretty well, even with what was kinda reserve team they did great on Olympics. With Vujčić and some other players returning it should be pretty good team.
Club wise its more interesting, Cibona finally got rid of Miličević and with new management and Peras in charge future looks bright. Some great players returned/joined the club this season and base for building even stronger team next season is there. Also worth mentioning is that Cibona will soon (1 month) have ready brand new 15.5k Arena ready for Euroleague games. Also Bartolomeu mentioned when he was there few weeks ago that they expect Euroleague final 4 to be there in next 5,6 years There were already plans to bid for hosting for 2011 but they skipped that and are now planing to bid to host 2012 final 4.
Zadar also has pretty great team this season. They doubled their salary budget this year, signed multi year contract extensions with their best players (Juby Johnson, Todor Gečevski...) so they also have base for future team sorted out. Also Zadar moved to new 9k Arena (Basketball center Krešimir Ćosić) which looks great
Biggest story tho is basketball club Split. Sleeping giant is on best way to became what it once was. Club and new Spaladium Arena (12k) signed 10 year contract last night with Global Spectrum, multi national company who among others own Philadelphia 76ers. Global Spectrum plans to invest some serious amount of money since as Dino Rađa said their wish is to make the team big in Euro terms again. Good old Gripe hall will be history since january in pro basketball terms and KK Split will only use it for trainings and friendly matches.
New Arenas:
Zadar (9000):
Zagreb (15500):
Split (12000):
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