Bozidar Maljkovic is no stranger to success.
Among his many achievements, the Serbian coaching great steered Jugoplastika Split (1989, ’90), Limoges (’93), Panathinaikos (’96) to FIBA EuroLeague titles.
Now he has a dream opportunity to lead one of the best-supported national teams in Europe after being appointed coach of Slovenia.
“My task will not be easy,” he said on Tuesday morning.
“My wish is to give the Slovenian public a good result – that being a medal on the biggest stages!
“Without false modesty: I have always fulfilled my promises and I hope I will do the same in Slovenia.”
Slovenia had thousands of fans follow them at EuroBasket 2009 in Poland and also in Istanbul this year at the FIBA World Championship.
The national team has moved from strength to strength in recent times.
After Ales Pipan, Jure Zdovc coached the team in 2009 and this summer, Memi Becirovic was at the helm.
The team is loaded with talent that competes at the biggest clubs in Europe and also the NBA.
Among them is Bostjan Nachbar of Efes Pilsen.
Nachbar thrived under Zdovc, but also helped Slovenia enjoy a smooth transition to Becirovic this year.
A tough-as-nails forward who can step outside and knock down three-pointers, Nachbar embodies the team spirit that exists in Slovenia.
It wasn’t surprising that he tweeted on Tuesday: “Big thanks to Memi Becirovic for his very good coaching of our national team. It was a pleasure and honor to play for him.”
Other terrific players include Jaka Lakovic and Erazem Lorbek at Regal Barcelona, Miha Zupan at Spartak St Petersburg and Goran Dragic with the Phoenix Suns.
“I want all the best players playing for the Slovenian national team,” Maljkovic said.
Highly respected in the field, Maljkovic admits he was surprised by the passion for Slovenian basketball that he witnessed back at the 1997 EuroLeague Final Four in Rome.
Olympiacos defeated Union Olimpija, the giants of Slovenia, in the Semi-Finals before winning against Barcelona in the title game.
“I remember the EuroLeague Final Four in Rome when (Union) Olimpija lost to Olympiacos,” Maljkovic said.
“The Slovenian nation was saddened by the loss and I was surprised that you really love basketball that much.
“Other nations don’t have such a privilege!
“I hope for more happy days! We have a good team, good players.”
Slovenia is not the biggest country in Europe but the national team does seem to keep getting better year after year.
Their last two defeats at the EuroBasket in Poland last year, in the Semi-Finals to Serbia and the bronze-medal game to Greece, were by the narrowest of margins.
This year, Slovenia reached the last eight of the FIBA World Championship for the first time.
Maljkovic, who has signed a three-year contract, is expected to be on the sidelines when Slovenia host EuroBasket 2013.
His first run with Slovenia will be next year when the EuroBasket is held in Lithuania.
“We need to build the national team cult even further,” he said.
“Thanks to everybody who was at this post before me.
“I would just like to put the cherry on the top of the cake. But it will not be easy.
“There will be a lot of good teams in Lithuania.”
Slovenia certainly believe they have the right man.
Roman Volcic, the president of country’s basketball federation, said it was a key moment for the national team as it goes into EuroBasket 2011, tries to qualify for the Olympics and also prepares to host EuroBasket 2013.
Volcic said: “We did not want anything left to chance and after a sound analysis, a lot of thought and discretion, decided to continue to place trust in one of the most recognized coaches, a proven coach – the Serbian Bozidar Maljkovic, four times a European club champion.”
Volcic added that Maljkovic has what it takes to lead Slovenia to a medal, and that the federation has signed him to “a three-year deal with the possibility of early termination.”
