Europe’s premier referees gathered in the Croatian capital to prepare for the 2024-25 season
Zagreb hosted the annual Clinic for Euroleague Basketball Officials
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Summer ended early for the Euroleague Basketball family of referees with the 33rd Clinic for Euroleague Basketball Officials last weekend. The four-day-long event, which began on August 29, saw the men and women who will oversee the games this season in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup meet for physicals, rules discussions and analyses, breakout sessions and much more in Zagreb, Croatia.
Some 68 referees were on hand for the clinic, including four newcomers: Manuel Attard of Italy, Stefan Calic of Serbia, Sergio Manuel of Spain and Christian Theis of Germany. This marked the second such clinic under the guidance of Daniel Hierrezuelo as Euroleague Basketball Director of Officiating.
“The annual clinic is essential for maintaining the high standards we expect at Euroleague Basketball. It’s not just about the rules but about sharing knowledge and experiences, fostering teamwork, preparing mentally and physically, and ultimately delivering the best officiating for the league,” Hierrezuelo stated.
The list of experts invited to lecture at the clinic featured Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga, former Euroleague Basketball Senior Director of Officiating Mr. Costas Rigas, Spanish national team head coach Sergio Scariolo, Euroleague Head Coaches Board President and former EuroLeague champion Dimitris Itoudis, Euroleague Head Coaches Board Executive Director Goran Sasic, ELPA Head of Player Relations Walter Jeklin, sports psychologist Mar Rovira, and physical trainer Gianluca Mazzoncini.
There were lectures on IRS reviews and rule changes for the coming season. The referees also met in smaller groups to dive deeper into video analysis, proper mechanics on the court, injury prevention, and self-improvement, among other topics. Each official also underwent eye exams, fitness checkups and rules tests. And by the end of the clinic, they were all better prepared for the exciting season that awaits!