TUR – Tanjevic passes the torch to Ene

ISTANBUL (EuroBasket 2011) - Turkey unveiled Orhun Ene as the new coach of the national team on Wednesday.
 
A former national team point guard, Ene has replaced Bogdan Tanjevic at the helm.
 
Tanjevic steered the national side to the silver medal at last year's FIBA World Championship in Istanbul and Ene was among his assistants.
 
"I'm excited about working for Turkish basketball to have bigger achievements than ever before," said Ene at his unveiling in Istanbul.
 
Ene, who turned 44 on Tuesday, played for the Turkish team that captured a EuroBasket silver 10 years ago when they hosted the event in Istanbul.
 
Tanjevic, who also led Italy to EuroBasket gold 12 years ago, still has a role with the national side.
 
The veteran will serve as the national team technical coordinator for the next four years.
 
“I have been serving national teams for 25 years first as a player and after as a coach,” added Ene.
 
"I'm aware of these important responsibilities and tough duties which I have."
 
The other assistant coach on Turkey's silver-medal winning side, Nihat Izic, will continue in his role as the youth national teams technical coordinator for men.
 
Turkey put on a great spectacle last summer and Turkish Basketball Federation president Turgay Demirel wants the basketball team to keep the momentum going.
 
On Sunday, Turkey were drawn in EuroBasket 2011 Group A with defending champions Spain, tournament hosts Lithuania, Great Britain, Poland and one of the two sides that emerges from the Additional Qualifying Round.
 
The two finalists will earn a trip to next year's Olympics in London.
 
FIBA