Few expected that the “Students” would rise from the ashes in such a short period of time, from the semifinals of the Second ABA League, winning that competition, and then placing in the most elite rank, where in the first season after their return they secured a place among the Top 8, as well as a place in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Europe Cup, and one thing is the link for everything – Dubravko Barbarić.
Three years at the helm of Bosnia brought great success, a return to winning trophies (the Mirza Delibašić Cup and the Second ABA League), which in the turbulent decade behind us was often equal to a mental noun.
“Of course we are satisfied with the result. We placed in the finals of all the competitions in which we entered at the beginning of the season. The bad start was not unexpected considering the change in the level of the competition and a lot of new players in the roster who were supposed to take over the roles of the game holders. It took time, fortunately not much, to show which of the new players is ready for the pressure of playing for a big club like Bosnia, but also which of the players who remained from last season can cope with the challenge of playing with skill, energy, physical and mental strength in the ABA League and the FIBA Europe Cup.” – began Dubravko Barbarić for Basketball Sphere.
After a successful placement in the FIBA Europe Cup, three defeats followed, and soon the departure of Aleksandar Damjanović, and the arrival of Muhamed Pašalić as head coach. It would be said that the move was more than successful.
“Aleksandar Damjanović took responsibility for the result and submitted his resignation. He stayed at the club, which was extremely important to us, and we jointly made the decision that it is best to continue working according to the same principle as before, which is to give the local coach and former player of the club who has already met the players another opportunity so that we do not waste precious time.
Muhamed Pašalić showed great courage to take over the team at that moment. We had numerous offers to bring in an experienced coach. The results showed very quickly that we all made excellent decisions, on the one hand the club, and on the other hand the coach who, in the three seasons that I have been leading Bosnia, rose from team captain, first assistant coach, to the position of first professional in the third season. Aside from all our previous player ‘scouting’, this ‘scouting’ that Muhammed can become a top coach is the best of all for us.”
By placing among the eight best teams in the ABA league, survival is ensured. However, the president of the Sarajevo club points out that this should not be the final goal for a former European champion.
“The key to success is complete concentration on success. We have been working in a very closed circle for three seasons and we are most dedicated to the sports result. If a club like Bosnia is run, then a result is always expected. Our history, talent and interest in basketball do not allow us to be a club that fights for participation or placements, but always for titles. We have survived in a selected company, we have become absolutely competitive. In this way, a new audience is gradually coming to us that recognizes the professional, dedicated and honest work of this administration club.”
A repeat of the June scenario is something many Bosnia fans fear. Dubravko Barbarić is also not immune to problems. Financial help is much needed, but so is the moment when it will be received. It’s no secret that clubs from the entire region often have the support of the authorities, which in the case of Bosnia has been reduced to a minimum.
“This season is really a test of whether Sarajevo as a city wants and at what level of basketball games. In this sense, I am satisfied with the response of the audience, who are increasingly realizing that by paying for tickets, they are sending a message that they want a very high level. Tickets are not a significant part of the budget of a large number of clubs in the region, but they are a message. When a more expensive ticket is paid, we know that people understand how much the top level of indoor sports organization costs, but also how much it is worth.
Lately, I have been receiving various ‘signals’ from different power centers, basketball and non-basketball, that there is dissatisfaction with my way of working. If this continues, I will leave at the end of the season. This work will be brought to a professional end and no one, not even me, should be above a club like Bosnia.
Stability will be maintained by securing various sources of income. I expect difficulties in the inflow of public money next season because this year is an election year in Bosnia and Herzegovina and there is always some kind of change that destabilizes sports teams. The response of domestic businessmen is minor, regardless of our numerous attempts to involve them.
We still have to try some international cooperation so that we don’t become too dependent on the income of the club and my own money. If I do not succeed in this, I am sure that there are people in Sarajevo who can do it better than this administration, and I am already looking for them. The absence of vanity is always an important prerequisite for the sustainability of any club.”
Perhaps the biggest acquisition of the season is Puerto Rican shooting guard Alfonso Plummer. As the president of the Sarajevo club revealed to us, they reached him thanks to friendly relations with Dubai, a cooperation that has already brought good in the past, and in this example, it proved to be fruitful once again.
“After the departure of the great Chase Audige, we needed a quick reaction. I think our fans saw that we have such quick reactions, that we fill the roster very quickly in deficit positions and use different ways to have an insight into the player market.
Alfonso Plummer was on Dubai’s radar and they amicably suggested him as one of the solutions. His former club Manresa needed a different type of player, Dubai has a full roster, so we thought it would be a good idea for him to get more space in the shooting guard position at the high level of the ABA League and FIBA Europe Cup.
We quickly agreed on cooperation and to avoid any speculation – he stays with us until the end of the season and we pay him in full. It is up to him to continue to grow in defensive tasks and in the game with the ball, the lethality of the shot was convinced by many before us, and his character is great.
I never like to single out any player, not even Alfonso. We club presidents increasingly look at the contribution to the team and the result, and we value that the most and pass it on as key information. We still have players for a higher level, if we are at a higher level there is no reason for them not to grow with us.”
He himself is aware of how quickly the clubs can fly, but that it turns out to be only the flight of Icarus. Moreover, the main goal is to create a stable club, and even on the condition of his departure, but there is always the desire to win. For this season, the goal is the title in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a trophy that has not been in the club’s showcases for a long time.
“Bosnia’s appetites must always be high. However, too fast growth can make it unsustainable. I often say that it is better to slow down than to stop abruptly. We follow not only the development of our club, but also the future of the European basketball scene. We follow absolutely every aspect, we are completely committed to the sporting result and progress in the organization of the club. Winning the title of BiH champion this season is my personal wish. If I leave the club, it is also a nice ending to win one trophy in each of the three seasons under my management.” – concluded Dubravko Barbarić for Basketball Sphere.
(Vijesti.ba)
