The new Baskonia coach arrived in Vitoria yesterday afternoon and today returns to the Buesa Arena as the head coach eight years later.
Velimir Perasovic is already in Vitoria for the first contact with the club and his future partners. A Baskonia icon comes back home, the man loved by everyone takes control of the bench with great enthusiasm. Yesterday at 19.30 ‘Peras’ arrived in Vitoria and headed to the hotel to rest from the long journey before visiting this morning the Buesa Arena as the new coach, eight years after his previous period in charge of the first team.
Before pronouncing his first words as the new Baskonia coach, Perasovic met those who will be his close collaborators in this new adventure leading Baskonia. He feels very happy and looking forward to his return in order to bring illusion to the fans.
Welcome. What do you feel now that you are back in Baskonia?
Eight years have passed since I was coaching here and time has gone by really fast. I have been all around the world, but the truth is that it feels like coming home. It´s always been known that my door was open to return to Baskonia.
“La verdad es que esto es como volver a casa”
You’ve been a Baskonia icon for many generations. Great memories…
More for parents because it’s been twenty years since all that. It was shocking to lose the first Winners’ Cup against Olimpia in Lausanne and see all the people waiting for us. It has been a period of rapid growth for the Club, the successes came very quickly and have continued for two decades. The club has grown in a spectacular way and these early successes will always be amazing.
Also great historic moments during your first period as coach. The “OAKAZO”…
We won the Spanish Cup and especially that game that got us qualified for the Final Four when nobody expected that we could win on the road in such a difficult court against such a good team.
What does Baskonia mean for Velimir Perasovic?
For me Baskonia is a club that has given me so much, I can’t say that more than Jugoplastika but at this level. I spent four years as a player and two as a coach, it is my third time here and for me Baskonia is more than a Club.
Second period as Baskonia coach after eight years.
I’ve already been over a decade as a coach. It is an important baggage. I now have more experience that gives me the confidence that I’ll do my job well.
What identity are you looking for the new Baskonia?
I think that Baskonia has always been distinguished for being a tough team with lots of character and a very dynamic game. We will follow this line and make a team in which these traits are recognized.
“Baskonia me ha dado mucho y para mí es más que un Club”
You know well the city and the fans. They breath basketball.
It has always been the most popular sport in this city and the successes of this club are not forgotten easily. You can have a one or two bad years but it always tends to be at the top again.
A message to the fans.
I am very happy to return, work and live with them. Hopefully with lots of success and I hope to bring them many joys. There is no doubt that we will do everything in our hands to keep them happy.
After visiting this morning and the sports city BAKH, and after holding several meetings to design the next season, the coach will leave tomorrow to meet his obligations with the National Team while working on the new Baskonia.
