2024-04-17 23:32:53
The strategist, beloved by the people of Panevėžys, will start his sixth season at the helm of the club, when a new contract until 2025-26 comes into force in the summer. season according to the “1+1” formula.
“Continuity and constancy are very important for our club,” Alvydas Bieliauskas, president of “7bet-Lietkabelis” commented on the new agreement, “Coach Čanakas has great authority in the eyes of the players, the administration and the fans.” We are happy about his attachment to Panevėžys. Of course, successful results are also important. Everyone has pitfalls, but coach Canak has been working steadily all year. We will see how we finish this season, but I believe we will do it honorably.”
“I am very happy,” Čanakas was happy about the extended cooperation, “I have said more than once that I feel at home in Panevėžys.” The negotiations were short, we agreed in five minutes. I feel confident and I want to give my best to the club. The main goal now is to finish this season in the best possible way.”
After yesterday’s victory against Pasval’s “Pieno szvejdas” Canak’s students returned to the fifth place in the Betsafe-LKL standings and have a real chance to rise to the fourth position in the remaining five rounds.
“Our situation is not the best right now, so I am even more grateful that the club still trusts me,” Panevėžys team manager said about the end of the regular season of the championship. coach, – This is a very nice and honorable step on their part. It’s just more motivation for me. I believe and trust my players, I know we will do our best.”
Nenad Čanakas came to Lithuania in 2018. and during the time spent here he significantly contributed to the new era of the Panevėžys club, marked by historic victories: the Panevėžys won the Betsafe-LKL silver once, won the bronze medals of the local championships three times, and won bronze medals three times in the Citadele-KMT tournament and twice, the latter in this season, reached silver.
Also, the specialist from Serbia, together with 7bet-Lietkabel, once reached the playoffs of the FIBA Champions League and even twice of the European Cup (BKT EuroCup), and last season he managed to do that by securing the home field advantage and bringing the tournament’s round of 16 to Panevėžys for the first time.
“Nenads (Čanaks) is reserved, self-critical, a man of his word, – Alvydas Bieliauskas singled out the most important qualities of a coach, – As a specialist, a coach, he is thoroughly immersed in everything, knows what is happening in Europe, even in the NKL, everywhere, you can talk to him in all matters. With us, he is like a member of the family, and I think that trust is also very important for him.”
From 2018 coach Čanakas, who led the Panevėžys team until last summer, started this season at the Turk Telekom club in Ankara, but returned to Lithuania in October. In the past, the specialist has worked in the Belgrade “Partizan”, “Spartak” Subotica, Belgrade “Mega Basket” clubs, last summer he coached the Serbian U20 national team.
“This season, I used the opportunity to go elsewhere,” Canak remembered the stage at the Turkish club, “I realized that it is difficult for me as a person to be successful in another environment.” I’m not talking about understanding basketball, the most important thing for me is how people are valued, how important respect is. If a person wants to be successful, he must be happy, and that’s exactly how I feel in Panevėžys.”
2024-04-17 23:32:53