Toni Vujanic knocking with Al-Mouttahed on the championships doors
Jul 1, 2009 (by Maarouf Mawloud)

 

One of the best foreign coaches to have ever coached in Lebanon and in the Middle East,

Toni Vujanic, the best coach in Lebanon for 3 consecutive years,

opens his heart to Eurobasket with this informative interview:

MM-What are people’s impressions when they meet you?

 

TV-Well this question you should ask other people, coaches/management and players.

MM- How do you see the basketball here in Lebanon? What does it need to become a better basketball country and to go to the next level? How do you see the level of the Lebanese league comparing to the Arab world, Asia & Europe. What can we do to make it become better (higher level and more competitive)

TV-Lebanese basketball is growing more and more every year, it’s a very strong league with good local players and excellent Imports, new generation of Lebanese players need more individual work out and summer plan, referee organization need to be seriously reorganized, every club in 1st division must have U16, U18 teams,  and second team that is in 2nd division, more professional organization on the European level, and something else which is very important: the fans during the games to have more respect for each others.

MM-Do you think that 2 imports are enough for the Lebanese league?

TV-For sure 2 Imports are enough, but maybe 1 extra naturalized Lebanese player for every club in 1st division would be better and more competitive.

MM-What do you think of Lebanon's National Teams chances in qualifying to the next World Championship?

TV-Of course I hope that they make a great result, and to be qualify for the World Championship next year,  inschallah, its good for the country, it’s good for the Lebanese basketball, and it’s good for all great fans who live with NT on daily base, they invested lots of money and created a great team, so I’m positively sure that they will make success with coach Raca.

MM- After 2 defeats in the final in the past 2 years what do you think Mouttahed still need to become champions?

TV-to became a Champion team, it’s not an easy road to take, but on other side it’s the most fulfilling feelings that you can have, it’s a hard and difficult road and needs lots of luck and timing, we worked very hard last 2 years, but it wasn’t enough to beat Riyadi, so if we want to become the champions of Lebanon we need to rebuild a team and restrength our roster with some strong Lebanese players.

MM- You are the best coach in Lebanon for 3 consecutive years, why?

TV-Again a question that I can't answer, but I’ll take the opportunity to thank people who voted for me fans, colleagues and coaches thank you so much for your encouragement...

I love the game of basketball and I believe in the position of a coach, I am a person who sincerely enjoys his work and basketball feeling that coaching basketball is a labor of love, also I think my team played very organized and structured game, modern basketball with strong full court defense, great team chemistry and discipline, actually after all I must thank my players for this, because they almost perfectly execute all my ideas and plans and make us all looking good.

MM- Your next year will be your 3rd year with Mouttahed... any new plan to do? And what is ur future plan for the 3 more years?

TV-Its a new period for Mouttahed where the team should be refreshed and rebuild, next 3 years are very important for my team, so I’m very careful with planning our future season, we have several competitions inside and outside Lebanon and our bench should be bigger and stronger...

MM- How do u evaluate and compare Mouttahed’s management in those 2 years... and what they still have to do to be a professional management, and how is the relationship between you and the Management, coach?

TV-I have seen big changes in last 2 years, they are nonstop learning and developing towards the best Management in Lebanon, my relation with them is good, we live like a family and work like professionals, I thank them (M.Aboubaker, N.Sharani and N.Samer) for their great support in the last 2 years and hope we will achieve all our plans and dreams in the future, my President Mr. Ahamad Safadi is very interesting and smart person, a man with a good vision and great plans for the future.

MM- It seems u like to trust young players...and to work with them so far that’s how it looks in Al Mouttahed Why is that? And what do u expect from those young players?

TV-Young people and players are the future of every organization and we should help them to achieve the maximum...I trust my players and develop them with proud...

MM- What your team miss??What about foreign players next year? What about local players? Which local player you like to see next year in your team?

TV-Uhhhhh, this is good question but little to early, Imports I guess we will keep them (they did great last year) about locals all depends on the market and prices, all will be done in 1st week of August, we need some new faces on the positions PG (point guard),SF (small forward) and PF/C (center and power forward).

MM- The way to perfection is the road to the top what do you mean with these words?

TV-Lool... if you want to succeed and reach the Top, u need to be perfect, in order to become perfect (which is impossible) you need to practice and repeat.

MM-How do u see eurobasket this season concerning Lebanese league? Is there anything that you would like to say to us (eurobasket)?

TV-Last 2-3 seasons, the Lebanese basketball wasn't so good covered... this is the first year that I see complete reports of games results and stats, I thank eurobasket and Maarouf Mawloud for helping the Lebanese basketball to get recognition that they deserve it...

MM-Last words...something you want to add

TV-I want to thank all our fans that supported Mouttahed all year long, they were really great I want to thank all Lebanese basketball's fans I want to thank my players they were incredible and I really enjoyed working with them, and at the end I Thank you (Eurobasket) for this opportunity and this interview, keep doing the good job.