By Utkan Sahin, Bugra Uzar & M. Bahadir Akgun/ info@eurohoops.net
Even from his career as a player, Obradovic always commanded attention with his high basketball IQ. He received an education as an assistant coach under another legendary coach, Dusan Ivkovic, and it seemed that Obradovic was already on the path to greatness. He became the most successful coach in the modern era of the EuroLeague by combining what he had learned with his superior work ethic. His teams have always been among the favorites to win the EuroLeague, and nine titles are nothing if not proof of that. Obradovic managed to perfectly adapt his successful system to a changing game of basketball. All those crowns with different teams demonstrate the fact that he can absorb those changes and implement them flawlessly, so his success is anything but coincidental.
Obradovic’s Panathinaikos Athens teams appeared in the playoffs six times and made it to the Final Four on five of those occasions. Moreover, almighty Zeljko managed to hold the trophy in his miracle-working hands at the end of all five of those appearances.
The only series Obradovic lost has an interesting fact about it. In the 2005-2006 season, his Panathinaikos team had the home-court advantage against Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz – then Tau Ceramica. Baskonia managed to steal Game 3 to make it to the Final Four. That was the only series Obradovic lost despite the fact he had the home-court advantage.
The only remaining obstacle for Obradovic’s charges before the Final Four in Belgrade is once again the Basque team.
Leading Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul as he targets his 10th title, the most successful coach in the history of European basketball holds a record that is also historic. Fenerbahce has won both games in Istanbul against Baskonia, just like they had against their previous opponents in the last three seasons. Obradovic and his team grabbed the win in all 11 games they played during this period. Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos and Baskonia: some of the best teams in the EuroLeague. This incredible run is the longest playoff winning streak in EuroLeague history.
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Obradovic is a basketball legend who has been successful wherever he has worked… However, if we’re going to talk about his masterpiece, that is definitely Fenerbahce. Having been playing in the competition since 2006, Fenerbahce has always been eager to reach the top with its huge fanbase and comfortable financial status. It tried hard… But those attempts did not end as expected nor with the desired results.
Obradovic signed with Fenerbahce in 2013 and added a new nickname to his collection: “The Savior!” He made everyone forget about what had come before and established a new basketball culture. What he did was not easy at all. Fenerbahce clinched a playoff spot in 2015 for the second time in club history against the reigning champs, Maccabi. Obradovic’s squad lacked real playoff experience, but still managed to sweep Maccabi.
The following season, it was the same fate for Fenerbahce; it was once again matched with the reigning champs. Obradovic’s squad was more experienced, but one of the team’s leading players, Jan Vesely, was injured right before the playoffs and Fenerbahce had to go up against Madrid with only two big men. The result? Exactly the same as the previous year.
And then, last season… Maybe the most impossible feat of all three playoff campaigns… Zeljko’s students did not have the home-court advantage against Panathinaikos. The Olympic Sports Center Athens has always been one of the toughest home-courts and Fenerbahce had never gotten a win in this arena. However, as many have said before, you can never bet against Zeljko Obradovic. His Fenerbahce team overcame this hurdle too. They were the first team to win the first two away games in the history of the EuroLeague Playoffs.
Here they are, keeping the perfect run alive. Fenerbahce won the first two games in Istanbul against Baskonia, which reached the playoffs in fantastic form. And these victories made the club the first to ever win 11 straight games in the playoffs. Obradovic built this new basketball culture based on the credo of winning, whatever the circumstances. He will keep doing so. And one day, he will once again do something in a playoff game that will amaze everyone. European basketball is so lucky to have him.