ADRIATIC LEAGUE - Memi leaves Union Olimpija after loss to Zadar

LJUBLJANA (Adriatic League) - Memi Becirovic is out as Union Olimpija coach and Aleksandar Dzikic is in.

That was the outcome after the Slovenian club's 75-66 defeat to Zadar on Saturday, a result that dropped the proud outfit to 9-7 in the Adriatic League.

Becirovic, who experienced the high of leading his team to an upset of CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague earlier in the season, had a strained relationship with club director Janez Rajgelj and decided it was in the best interests of all concerned to go.

"After taking some time to think things over, I have taken a hard decision to leave Union Olimpija," Becirovic said.

"There are more reasons for my decision, but three of them are vital. The first is, that in the provided circumstances, I couldn't see a way to make the results better than they are at the moment.

"The second reason is that the communication between me and the director Janez Rajgelj were not as they should be.

"The third and also most decisive factor is that I am aware that Union Olimpija is an institution, a brand – something sacred – and because of that no person there is more important than the club itself. Not the management, neither the coach nor players."

Becirovic had been frustrated by the club's inability to enter the transfer market with the Rajgelj stressing that financial stability of Union Olimpija was the most important thing.

"Because I couldn't find a way out of the mess I was in," Becirovic continued, "I decided to leave and give the club a chance to find someone who will bring new ideas and help the club get back on the right direction.

"I hope my departure will be good for Union Olimpija."

Dzikic, who spent the last two years in the NBA as an assistant coach at the Minnesota Timberwolves, will be in charge for the remainder of the season.

As for second-placed Zadar, they got 28 points from Julius Juby Johnson. The win has lifted the Croatian giants to 13-3.

Union Olimpija are in fifth place.

Partizan Belgrade continue to set the pace at 15-1 in the league. They thumped FMP 90-68.

Vojvodina (7-9) edged Zagreb (4-12) 91-88 and Buducnost (9-7) won over third-placed Hemofarm (10-6), 77-69.

Cibona (9-7) were 94-82 winners over Red Star Belgrade (10-6).

It was a bad weekend for all three Slovenian teams as Geoplin Slovan (4-12) and Helios Domzale (3-13), teams at the bottom of the table, both lost.

Aleksandar Sekulic, Geoplin Slovan's coach, said after his team's 83-63 defeat to Split (7-9): "I would like to congratulate Split for a deserved victory. They have taken advantage of all our mistakes in defense and offense, while we didn't.

"If we also know that Split was the team that struggled more to reach victory, it is obvious why we lost so heavily. I don't know what the reason is for all of this – could it be the trip from Ljubljana to Split? But I do know that we need to change something, as these kind of bad displays only happen to as in away games."

Ljubo Samadan, the Geoplin Slovan player who in 20 minutes scored six points and grabbed four rebounds, said: "It's hard to say anything after such a defeat. I have a feeling we are afraid of playing away games. We never play good at away games. I hope we will get out of the crisis we are in quickly and we will start playing better when Jovanovic and Modric return to our team."

Meanwhile, Zoran Martic, Helios Domzale's coach, spoke after his team's 87-78 setback against Siroki (4-12). He said: "When the opponent scores three desperation three-pointers, it's hard to get back into the game.

"It's hard to receive one three-pointer in that situation, but three?! We played good throughout the whole match – except maybe the first five minutes. In the end, the home team had more luck. Especially with the crucial shots."

FIBA