Serbia start search for new head coach

BELGRADE (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) - Reigning EuroBasket Women champions Serbia will have a new head coach at the helm when they tip-off their title defence at the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round in Czech Republic.

With just over six months until the action gets underway in Prague and Hradec Kralove, the search is now underway for the successor to Marina Maljkovic who decided to step down.

Having delivered several historical highs including their first EuroBasket Women title and then a bronze medal in Rio at their first-ever Olympics, replacing the 35-year-old play caller is a significant challenge for the recently appointed Serbia Basketball Federation (KSS) President Predrag Danilovic.

Danilovic said: "Marina and I sat down the other day, she explained some things and I completely understand [her decision]. She knows what I think of her as a person and she is a great specialist who I thank on behalf of the Federation.

"There's been some great stories and I am sorry that we will not co-operate, but that's professional life and all this goes with the territory. As soon as possible, we will get together with the sector for women's basketball [in Serbia] to do everything possible to find a person who meets the criteria to lead our women's national team."

As for Maljkovic herself, she has vowed to continue promoting the women’s game in her homeland - having agonised over the decision.

"After a lot of thinking and many sleepless nights, I decided to resign," stated the play-caller who will continue at club level with Istanbul giants, Galatasaray.

"I wanted to finish one cycle of the [Olympic] competition and after the execution of this objective and advancing to FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 in Czech Republic, I gave myself some good time to think about whether I'm able to continue.

"Despite having great sporting ambitions and the desire to try to help our national team to stay on top, there's also a sense of fatigue, physical and emotional discharge. This has caught up with me after more than five years of continuous employment for both club and country.

"At this point, I am unable to give what the players and staff are looking for, which is the maximum from me. It would be selfish and destructive to continue this way in a job that I love."

"Within the movement for women's basketball, we have 400 girls practicing basketball for free, but we will work on that until the end of 2017 when the number of girls who practice free basketball will increase to four digits.

"I will be in Serbia regularly having fun with my little basketball players, because I want these free basketball schools to enable the best possible conditions for the development and progress of women’s basketball."

FIBA