Latvia Appoint Kemzura As New Coach
Latvia have made a major decision before the Christmas holiday by appointing Kestutis Kemzura as the new coach of the men's national team.
Kemzura, who recently parted ways with BC Khimki Moscow Region, takes the reins from Nenad Trajkovic - the Serbian coach who steered the team to a second-place finish in their qualifying group earlier this year to reach the Final Round.
Former Lithuania coach Jonas Kazlauskas, the CSKA Moscow women's Latvian boss Gundars Vetra and Serbian Trajkovic were the other coaches the Latvian Basketball Federation spoke to before agreeing terms with Kemzura.
It is understood that Kazlauskas was more interested in returning to club coaching. He coached China this summer at the Olympics.
On the national team scene, Kemzura worked as an assistant coach with Lithuania - most recently at the 2006 FIBA World Championship under Antanas Sireika.
"I got an offer to work in Team Lithuania (after leaving Khimki), however the opportunity to work in Latvia in the head coach position seemed more interesting for me," Kemzura said on Friday.
"It offers a greater challenge.
"Team Lithuania already has great coaches, it`s in good condition. Now I will talk with the people I'd like to work with in the national team."
First up for Latvia in Group B next year in Poland will be a game against EuroBasket 2007 champions Russia, the team coached by Kemzura's good friend and former colleague at Benetton Treviso, David Blatt.
Kemzura was Blatt's assistant when he took over at Benetton.
Germany and the team that wins the Additional Qualifying Round will also be in Group B.
"Russia, it will be the second time to play against David Blatt`s side," said Kemzura, whose Khimki outfit took on Dynamo Moscow recently in the Russian Superleague and lost.
"I see it as a good opportunity for (revenge), however, we will always remain friends off the court."
Blatt actually invited Kemzura to work with Russia's national side, but since Kemzura had said no to Lithuania during the summer about an opportunity with them he did not think it was appropriate.
The new sports director with the Latvian Basketball Federation is Edgars Sneps, a former national team player. He was at the center of the talks with Kemzura and Kazlauskas and met with both in Lithuania nine days ago.
Another former Latvia player, Roberts Stelmahers, has been mentioned as a possible assistant for Kemzura.
Stelmahers played for the Baltic country on numerous occasions, including at EuroBasket 2005.
If Latvia qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Kemzura will definitely remain in charge.
Latvia have made a major decision before the Christmas holiday by appointing Kestutis Kemzura as the new coach of the men's national team.
Kemzura, who recently parted ways with BC Khimki Moscow Region, takes the reins from Nenad Trajkovic - the Serbian coach who steered the team to a second-place finish in their qualifying group earlier this year to reach the Final Round.
Former Lithuania coach Jonas Kazlauskas, the CSKA Moscow women's Latvian boss Gundars Vetra and Serbian Trajkovic were the other coaches the Latvian Basketball Federation spoke to before agreeing terms with Kemzura.
It is understood that Kazlauskas was more interested in returning to club coaching. He coached China this summer at the Olympics.
On the national team scene, Kemzura worked as an assistant coach with Lithuania - most recently at the 2006 FIBA World Championship under Antanas Sireika.
"I got an offer to work in Team Lithuania (after leaving Khimki), however the opportunity to work in Latvia in the head coach position seemed more interesting for me," Kemzura said on Friday.
"It offers a greater challenge.
"Team Lithuania already has great coaches, it`s in good condition. Now I will talk with the people I'd like to work with in the national team."
First up for Latvia in Group B next year in Poland will be a game against EuroBasket 2007 champions Russia, the team coached by Kemzura's good friend and former colleague at Benetton Treviso, David Blatt.
Kemzura was Blatt's assistant when he took over at Benetton.
Germany and the team that wins the Additional Qualifying Round will also be in Group B.
"Russia, it will be the second time to play against David Blatt`s side," said Kemzura, whose Khimki outfit took on Dynamo Moscow recently in the Russian Superleague and lost.
"I see it as a good opportunity for (revenge), however, we will always remain friends off the court."
Blatt actually invited Kemzura to work with Russia's national side, but since Kemzura had said no to Lithuania during the summer about an opportunity with them he did not think it was appropriate.
The new sports director with the Latvian Basketball Federation is Edgars Sneps, a former national team player. He was at the center of the talks with Kemzura and Kazlauskas and met with both in Lithuania nine days ago.
Another former Latvia player, Roberts Stelmahers, has been mentioned as a possible assistant for Kemzura.
Stelmahers played for the Baltic country on numerous occasions, including at EuroBasket 2005.
If Latvia qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Kemzura will definitely remain in charge.
Actually what happened with Trajković, was he sacked, did he quit,...?
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