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Calendar highlights: Coaching showdowns

Calendar highlights: Coaching showdowns

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21 July 20236 Mins read

Javier Gancedo

The 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague will be full of interesting coaching matchups. Whether it is an emerging coach facing his former boss, legendary masterminds clashing or recently created coaching rivalries, the coaches will be part of the storylines on a weekly basis. In the EuroLeague, every game matters and coaches have plenty to do with each game's outcome. Here are some of the matchups to look forward to:

Rounds 1 and 29: Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos Athens vs. Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus

Ataman and Bartzokas have had several great tactical basketball battles in the past, none bigger than the 2022 EuroLeague semifinal. Ataman took Efes to the championship game, downing Bartzokas's Olympiacos on a game-winning, iconic three-pointer by Vasilije Micic. This time, Ataman and Bartzokas are taking that rivalry up a notch, sharing the court in the Greek derby. Ataman joining Panathinaikos makes it even more interesting.

Rounds 4 and 29: Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin vs. Sasa Obradovic, AS Monaco

It is always special when Sasa Obradovic faces ALBA Berlin. Obradovic led ALBA to its only continental title, the 1994-95 Korac Cup. He played a big role, too, averaging 23.0 points in the final against Milan. He also coached ALBA from 2012 to 2016, winning a German League and three German Cup titles. In two seasons with ALBA, Gonzalez led the team to a German League and Cup double in 2022. He is on his way into the history books.

Rounds 7 and 20: Dimitris Itoudis, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

It is a well-known history. Obradovic and Itoudis worked together for 13 years, leading Panathinaikos to five EuroLeague crowns and many other domestic titles. Itoudis became a head coach and went on to win EuroLeague titles with CSKA Moscow in 2016 and 2018. Obradovic added a ninth EuroLeague trophy in 2017, and now Itoudis is with that team. The games between Obradovic and Itoudis are tactically rich as they put aside their great friendship to battle for the win.

Rounds 7 and 25: Dusko Ivanovic, Crvena Zvezda MeridianBet Belgrade vs. Roger Grimau, FC Barcelona

Another case of a EuroLeague rookie coach going against one of his mentors. Grimau played for Ivanovic for the best part of three seasons. It was Ivanovic who made Grimau team captain in 2007, and that allowed him to have the privilege to lift the EuroLeague title with Barca in 2010. It has been a while, but Grimau and Ivanovic know each other very well and that makes this coaching matchup a must-follow one.

Rounds 8 and 33: Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Sergio Scariolo, Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Milan and Virtus have been to each of the last three Italian League finals and have been the two Italian teams in the EuroLeague the last couple of years. Scariolo and Messina have had a lot to do with their team's success. Messina led Milan to back-to-back Italian League titles and the club's first EuroLeague Final Four appearance in 1992. Scariolo helped Virtus win the EuroCup and the club's first Italian championship in 20 years. Expect great tactical battles between two well-known, decorated coaches.

Rounds 9 and 28: Roger Grimau, FC Barcelona vs. Alex Mumbru, Valencia Basket

Grimau and Mumbru have a lot in common: they started their careers with Joventut Badalona and played there together in their late teens, were also Bilbao Basket teammates for three seasons at the end of their playing careers and even played together in the Spanish national team in the 1998 U22 European Championships. It should be an exciting matchup for both of them: going against each other as head coaches in the EuroLeague!

Rounds 10 and 27: Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade vs. Erdem Can, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

There are so many ways to connect Obradovic with other coaches. His matchup against Can is special because it is the first time they will face each other in the EuroLeague. Can worked for Obradovic as an assistant; together they won four Turkish championships and three Turkish Cups as well as helping Fenerbahce become the first Turkish team to win the EuroLeague. Can now get his shot to go against the EuroLeague coaching legend.

Rounds 12 and 20: Erdem Can, Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos Athens

Ataman led Efes to new heights, allowing his former team to win back-to-back EuroLeague titles. After more than a decade as an assistant, Can comes off a successful season with Turk Telekom Ankara, earning EuroCup Coach of the Year honors after leading his team to the Finals. Can has replaced Ataman on Efes's bench, trying to keep the team's championship window open. Ataman opened that window for Efes and wants to do the same in Athens.

Rounds 13 and 22: Joan Penarroya, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Dusko Ivanovic, Crvena Zvezda MeridianBet Belgrade

Penarroya comes off a fantastic first season with Baskonia, in which the team thrilled fans and experts alike with its fun-to-watch, aggressive basketball. He wants to be the next great Baskonia coach but has some big shoes to fill. Ivanovic led Baskonia to EuroLeague finals in 2001 and 2005 and won three Spanish championships and three Spanish Cups. Both are energetic coaches full of character, which makes their matchup even more interesting.

Rounds 14 and 20: Chus Mateo, Real Madrid vs. Pablo Laso, FC Bayern Munich

Mateo worked for Laso from 2014 to 2022, helping Los Blancos win EuroLeague titles in 2015 to 2018. When Laso had to step down due to a medical problem, Real handed the team's reins to Mateo and he led it to a Spanish League title. Laso and Real parted ways, Mateo was promoted to the head coach spot and led the team to the EuroLeague crown last season. Laso is back in action with Bayern, and all eyes will be on them when their teams cross paths.