Z. Lukičius, who won the second place with the Žemutinii Naugard club last season, will coach the Russian national team until the end of 2025.
True, due to the sanctions of Europe, the USA and FIBA, the Russian basketball teams are now simply vegetating, playing friendly matches against low-level opponents.
The Russians recently played Belarus, and this month they will host a tournament with the national teams of Venezuela, Colombia and Perm club Parma.
Serb Z. Lukicius has been leading the Russian national team since October 2021.
The national team’s strategist explained the extension of the contract with the national team.
“Now, not only basketball, but also all Russian sports are in a bad situation due to the imposed sanctions. I have experienced a similar situation in my time. A similar situation was with the Serbian basketball team – we were also subject to sanctions from 1990 to 1994. Then there was no way out, but all great Serbian coaches did not refuse to work not only with their own, but also with the national teams of other countries.
I am not afraid to work in such a situation, because I am sure that everything we are doing now is laying the foundations for the future of Russian basketball. You, Russians, just need to continue on this path, without turning aside, give young players the opportunity to prove their professionalism and not lose sight of those who play abroad”, – the press service of the Russian Basketball Federation quotes Z. Lukičius.
Currently, all club basketball teams and national teams of all age groups are suspended from international tournaments due to the war in Ukraine caused by Russia.
2024-08-22 00:25:32