Fenerbahce after Obradovic’s era
A new phase of Fenerbahce started even before Zeljko Obradovic have left the club. Last year they were far from being the squad that won the Euroleague. In the last couple of seasons, the Turkish club under Obradovic’s rule have reached many achievements, being 5 consecutive times in the Eurolaegue’s Final4, in 3 consecutive Finals of the Euroleague and then starting to descend.
Due to some important missings caused by injuries, Fenerbahce who finished the regular season as no. 1, was destroyed in the last Final 4 by Anadolu Efes and then by Real Madrid. It was the beginning of the end of Fenerbahce’s supremacy. A complete circle was ending: Fenerbahce coming from the bottom, as an average team in the European basketball elite, building a strong team with a reputed coach, reaching step by step the glory: 3rd place, then losing final in overtime, winning the Euroleague in 2017 and then descending. This is basketball – a wheel that is taking you up and down during years.
Now, a different era is starting for the Turkish powerhouse under the leadership of Igor Kokoskov, their new head coach. The good thing is that they will keep some key players like Nando de Colo, Jan Vesely, Leo Westermann, while the club is trying to add some quality fellows. Edgaras Ulanovas and Dyshawn Pierre are between the new signings, while Danilo Barthel and Johhny Hamilton are on the radar. It remains to see how the chemistry will work without Luigi Datome, Derrick Williams and other players that will part ways with Fenerbahce the next weeks. A rebuilding process is on the way, but definitely, with this economic crisis generated by Coronavirus, Fenerbahce will have to cut even more the budget. Last season already the players were protesting against not receiving their salaries for months. I am curious if Fenerbahce will make the Euroleague’s playoffs next season.
Image: Euroleague
Gratian Cormos
