These last days we have seen a couple of curious histories around the bench world. Coaches Andrej Tesla (KK Zagreb) and Borja Comenge (FC Barcelona) are the main protagonists, winning a couple of prestigious tournaments after crazy situations. Read both histories.

 

Tesla, coach of KK Zagreb U-18 team, was told a few days before travelling to Barcelona (NIJT Final 8) that they wanted to cut him. Club sport director told him that he was not going to the trip and they already had new coach. Tesla said that he was working with the club last 24 years, and he wanted all the paperwork instead only a few words about the decision. So, finally they didn't give him everything on time and he left with the team to Barcelona. KK Zagreb earned the title behind the crazy performances of Dario Saric ('94) and Mario Hezonja ('95). Tesla coached Sesar, Stojic, Tomas and Tomic when they were juniors. 

 

Comenge, after a few years in Girona, signed last summer with Regal FC Barcelona for its second team in LEB Silver (third division). With a very young group of prospects he ended the regular season in tenth position, only two wins from play-off spots. He ended the league last April 15th, but a few weeks later the club and the U-18 coach (Joan Carles Pie) parted ways after a disappointing NIJT Final 8 held in Barcelona. Upon the event ended FC Barcelona announced Comenge as the coach in the U-18 Spanish Final Round. Only with a few practices in their shoulders the team that ended third in U-18 Catalan League after DKV Joventut and Manresa, travelled to Porriño to compete against the best of Spain. In the first game, crazy defeat against Cajasol Sevilla (-25). But they recovered, earning the title. Youngsters Josep Pérez ('94), Nick Spires ('94) and Alexander Zhigulin ('94), intriguing prospects there.

 

Photo: Ruben Garcia Carballo