By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ilias Kantzouris is the new head coach of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem.
Announcing his departure, Limoges CSP also confirmed his move to the Israeli club. His new side officially named the new play-caller later Wednesday.
Kantzouris, 50, penned a contract for the remainder of the 2023-24 season with an option for the 2024-25 season. “It is a great honor and privilege for me to be part of such a big club,” he mentioned, “I am here to practice and prepare the team for the approaching key part of the season.”
He succeeded Italian Massimo Cancellieri at the helm of the 11-time champion of France last May. However, the spell was cut short by the common interest between him and Hapoel Jerusalem to work together. As noted by CSP, former assistants French Romain Leroy and German Dominik Gunthner will be sharing his responsibilities, until a new head coach is named.
After parting ways with Aleksandar Dzikic, the Jerusalem outfit landed Kantzouris as the new boss. The Greek tactician will be in charge in the Round of 16 of the Basketball Champions League, facing Lenovo Tenerife and two Play-In winners in Group K. A 4-3 record shapes team showings so far in the Regular Season of Israel’s Ligat Winner.
Spending the 2022-23 campaign as AEK’s play-caller, he introduced himself to the Champions League. His efforts were combined with the Queen reaching the Quarterfinals and falling to Hapoel Jerusalem in an eventful best-of-three series in April. Moving from Greece to France, the W-L tally in Betclic Elite went to 6-9, narrowly outside the relegation zone. Besides the domestic league, his side was eliminated by Nanterre 92 in the French Cup in November.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League