By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The countdown for Olympiacos’s important friendly game in honor of Dusan Ivkovic is approaching and some of the greatest personalities in European basketball but also European tennis will be at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (20/9).
How could it be otherwise when we are dealing with a coach who has experienced so many achievements with the teams he has worked in and who has helped the sport of basketball make strides like few others have?
Eurohoops remembers and presents the milestones of Dusan Ivkovic’s coaching career, from the magical moments with the national team of Yugoslavia to the unforgettable runs with Olympiacos and Partizan.
The “small” Triple Crown with Partizan (1978-1979)
Partizan might be going through one of the worst periods in their history, but it wasn’t always so. The onetime pride of Serbian basketball experienced unique moments in the past, some of which carry the signature of the one and only Dusan Ivkovic.
More specifically, in the 1978-1979 season, the then 35-year-old “Duda” showed some first signs of his gift by leading his team to a triple crown, celebrating the championship, the cup, as well as the Korac Cup, all within a few weeks.
This initial success shaped, to a great extent, the subsequent philosophy of the great coach who, at a very young age, added to his list of achievements an important distinction and laid the groundwork for his career… to take off.