EuroLeague coaches collaborate and reflect at 2025 workshop in Barcelona

Euroleague Basketball launched its annual week of workshops in Barcelona with meetings featuring the head coaches of EuroLeague clubs, continuing the tradition of collaboration, open dialogue, and future-focused planning among the league’s most influential figures.

The workshop was opened by Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga, who reflected on a remarkable 2024–25 season and thanked the coaches for their contributions to the continued growth of the competition.

"I would like to congratulate everyone for the amazing season that we finished, also to the teams who qualified to the Final Four, especially to Sarunas [Jasikevicius] and our season winner, Fenerbahce. I would like to congratulate the EuroCup winner, Dimitris [Itoudis]. I think you can see more in the details, but last season was amazing and with the numbers that we have seen, we showed what we can do," Bodiroga said.

Following Bodiroga’s remarks, Euroleague Basketball CEO Paulius Motiejunas provided coaches with an in-depth review of the season and outlined the organization’s strategic vision moving forward, with emphasis on sustainable growth, product quality, and deeper engagement with fans across digital platforms.

"We are delighted to welcome you all to our headquarters after an historic season. Once again, we have taken the EuroLeague a step forward, celebrating record numbers in attendance, television and digital audience with an outstanding Final Four in Abu Dhabi, showing once again the Euroleague's tremendous potential to grow beyond its traditional markets," stated Paulius Motiejunas, Euroleague Basketball CEO. "I would like to thank all our Head Coaches for their continuous support in growing our League, delivering a top-level spectacle to all our fans. Looking ahead, the 2025-26 season promises to be even better with an expanded list of participating teams that will certainly raise the competitive level of the League even further."

One of the most dynamic segments of the workshop came during an extended session with the league’s officiating department, led by Dani Hierrezuelo, Senior Director of Officiating. Coaches and referees engaged in detailed discussion around criteria and game situations, aiming to ensure a shared understanding of rules and interpretations for the benefit of the game and its audience

“This is a great opportunity to get to know each other, to discuss difficult situations that we deal with through the years,” said Fenerbahce head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. “It's extremely important to move the game forward… to make it easier for the referees and for the fans to understand the game better.”

Valencia Basket head coach Pedro Martinez echoed that sentiment: “It is very good to try to unify the criteria so the coaches have all the information. And what's also sensational is that the refereeing department has the sensibility to listen to the coaches' opinions. In that sense, the EuroLeague is a model competition.”

For Jurica Golemac, head coach of EuroLeague newcomer Dubai Basketball, the meeting was an important first step: “The EuroLeague is the best competition in Europe and everybody wants to be a part of it… It’s very important to have these meetings, even more than once a year. It helps the organization, the players, the referees and the coaches. And the fans!”

Throughout the two-day session, the mood was both celebratory and forward-looking, as clubs prepare for another season of elite competition. With the continued support and input of its coaches, Euroleague Basketball reaffirmed its commitment to building a stronger, more unified competition - on and off the court.