Velimir Perasovic (CRO)
05/03/2015
News
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Ambitious Perasovic confirmed as Croatia coach

ZAGREB (FIBA Basketball World Cup/EuroBasket 2015) - Velimir Perasovic played on one of the biggest stages in the history of international basketball, the 1992 Olympics, and helped Croatia reach the Final to take on the USA's Dream Team.

Now the 50-year-old will attempt to steer his country back to the podium after being put in charge of the Croatian national team for EuroBasket 2015.

A member of the last Croatia team to capture a medal, a bronze at EuroBasket 1995, Perasovic has coached since 2003-04, when he held the reins of KK Split.

This is the first time that he has led his national side.

The mission for the intense and fiery play-caller will be to make up for the disappointment of last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign and steer a talented squad to glory, and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

He has succeeded Jasmin Repesa at the helm.

Croatia will host Group C in Zagreb and take on Greece, Slovenia, F.Y.R. of Macedonia (MKD), the Netherlands and Georgia.

Last year, they advanced from the Group Phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup before falling 69-64, in a Round of 16 clash against France.

Bojan Bogdanovic missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer in the last minute of that contest.

France went on to upset Spain in the Quarter-Finals and finish third in the tournament.

"First of all, I would like to say that I am extremely proud and happy that I was chosen for the role of coach of the Croatian national basketball team," Perasovic said at his unveiling.

"I think it's something that every Croat wants and is a great honor for every Croat and so it is for me.

"There was never any doubt, from the first day when I was contacted by Mr Radic [Croatia Basketball Federation President Danko Radic] and asked if I had a desire to be coach of the Croatian national team.

"I never had any doubts. It was only whether I would be able to because of the situation at Spain's Valencia Basket."

Perasovic, who coached Valencia to the Eurocup title last year and into this season's Turkish Airlines Euroleague, parted with the outfit in late January.

"My wish is that the Croatian national team achieves a better result at the EuroBasket and on this point, I have great ambition and desire," Perasovic said.

We can not make any promises, except for great work and great effort - Perasovic

"It is absolutely clear what our ambitions are and that we will do everything to achieve this goal."

As for the length of the contract, Radic said: "We have a deal by the end of EuroBasket.

"After that will be a further agreement, depending on the possible engagement of Mr. Perasovic with another club, but we definitely have an agreement until the end of EuroBasket, and I hope that we will extend this cooperation."

There won't be any arguments about the amount of talent in the Croatia team.

Croatia have quality at every position, and experience.

The team reeled off eight straight wins at EuroBasket 2013 before losing to Lithuania in the Semi-Finals and Spain in the Third-Place Game.

There is plenty of size in the frontcourt, one that includes Barcelona center Ante Tomic.

There are also emerging talents like Dario Saric of Anadolu Efes and Mario Hezonja of Barcelona.

Saric says that the new man in charge is going to be a good fit.

"I know that this is a coach who requires a strong, disciplined defense," Saric said to the Croatian media, "and as for the offensive attack, he gives a free hand and freedom to create.

"I think that for the profile of a team like Croatia, the best suited coach is Perasovic and I hope that this [appointment] will be a big hit.

Perasovic recognizes that Croatia has had plenty of talent in its teams of late, but he's going to cast the net far and wide to bring in even more players to challenge for places in the squad.

"At this moment," he said, "we have a number of players that are recognizable to everyone and who were in the team.

"Also, I must tell you that I will introduce new players to the national team.

"I have to look at them all.

"There will be some that were not there, and that I like.

I will be introducing new players that I think can improve our game - Perasovic

"Now my focus is on watching the games from the World Cup, because I wanted to but didn't have much time to watch the [Spain 2014] games other than as a fan.

"...All the players who can play at this level will get an opportunity in this or that way.

"At the moment, I have a little list in my head, but it's never complete.

"For me, the national team is not a place where you gain experience.

"You have to play the best, those who will bring the best results of the national team. My wish is to see all the players personally."

FIBA