By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Heading into the Basketball Champions League Round of 16, Hapoel Jerusalem had to go through a change on its bench following they parted ways with Aleksandar Dzikic, now on the Georgian national team’s bench. Giving the keys to Ilias Kantzouris, however, things didn’t work out.
After three consecutive wins, the red-and-black team went on a three-game losing streak, ultimately failing to qualify for the Quarter-Finals in a crazy way, with Peristeri booking the ticket instead. Now, the Israeli powerhouse decided to part ways with the Greek head coach, who leaves after only two months.
The former AEK and Limoges head coach will be temporarily replaced by Assistant coaches Shay Olearchik and Theodoros Giannakopoulos, who will manage the team’s upcoming games with the support of General Manager Yonatan Alon. Hapoel Jerusalem announced that “the team is working to strengthen the roster and find the right addition for the upcoming challenges in the league and cup”.
“We would like to thank Ilias from the bottom of our hearts for his time at the club. Ilias entered a very complex situation, took on a difficult professional challenge, and did his best for the success of the team. Ilias is a high-level basketball persona and a dedicated, loyal, and very professional individual”, the Israeli club thanked the Greek head coach in the official press release.
“However, the club’s management feels that after the elimination from the Champions League and in light of our desire to reach the decisive stages of the season in the best possible way, a move must be made to give the players the best chance to return to the ability that has characterized it so far and to fight for the two remaining titles this season – the state cup and the championship”, it continued.
הפועל ״בנק יהב״ ירושלים מודיעה כי הגיעה לסיכום הדדי עם מאמן הקבוצה איליאס קנצוריס על הפסקת עבודתו במועדון.
אנו מבקשים להודות מקרב לב לאיליאס על תקופתו במועדון. איליאס נכנס לסיטואציה מורכבת מאוד, לקח על עצמו אתגר מקצועי לא פשוט ועשה כמיטב יכולתו למען הצלחת הקבוצה. שמחנו להכיר איש… pic.twitter.com/f3CQ1VprrW
— Hapoel Jerusalem BC (@JerusalemBasket) March 20, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League