By Nikos Varlas varlas@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce/Ulker played in the first final four in their history. They finished 4th, did not threaten the European Champions Real in the semifinal and at one point they were losing by a large margin by the disappointed CSKA. Competitively, in these 2 battles, they failed.
The future, however, is more important than the past! Fenerbahce made strides this year. They made a big step forward and if they faithfully stick to their plan, the right programming and use their first experience at the top level of the Euroleague instructively, it’s only a matter of time before they return to the final four. Much more ready to compete for the Holy Grail of European basketball.
The rumors that want Zeljko Obradovic already having agreed to renew his contract with the club are raging. The truth is somewhat different.
Willing to stay
The club has made it clear a while ago to the Serbian coach that they see him as the chosen one to lead Fenerbahce to the top of Europe and maintain the lead that he had in the TBL for many years. In his face the club sees the prospect of a long-term collaboration.
In his recent long interview that he gave to Eurohoops, Obradovic made clear that he now feels the team is his home and that he wants to stay. As long as he establishes that the people that make the decisions and the investments or on the same page as him and share the same way of thinking.
What really happened in the weekend is this: the coach spoke with the president of the club, but also the people of the company that is the major sponsor (Ulker) and he made clear that his priority, his desire, is to stay at Fenerbahce. There was absolutely no negotiation – discussion regarding the financial aspect or the planning.
Everything will be decided after the elections
The sides want to continue along. The big meeting that will decide everything will take place after the elections that are scheduled for the club at the end of the month. This particular issue overshadows everything. It’s definite that Yildirim Aziz will remain president, but first the final shape of the board of directors will emerge, as well as the new members and new balances, and then the crucial meeting with Zeljko Obradovic will get under way regarding matters of basketball.
The budget
A lot will be decided from the budget that Fenerbahce will have in the next 1-2 years. This will also be decided after the elections. Ulker will continue to support the basketball team, but it hasn’t been determined whether the company’s investment will be of a similar range as in the previous years. Within the first 10 days of June, possibly before the TBL playoffs are over, the matter of Obradovic as well as the matter of the budget will have been finalized.