Mahmudi a favorite for the Italian NT?

The visit of the officials of the Italian Basketball Federation to the final stage of the recently concluded EuroBasket 2009 in Katowice, had obviously working character, as serious steps were taken in order to secure the new coach of Italian National Team.


 According to some rumors, one of the leading candidates for the post is 'EuroCup Coach of the Year', Oktay Mahmudi. The 41-year old Mahmudi spent last two seasons with Benetton Treviso leading it to Serie A Semifinals, EuroCup Quarterfinals and National Cup Semis.

Unofficially, the Italian Basketball Federation is looking to bring in a foreign coach, who is familiar with Italian basketball and language. They did the same with coach Bogdan Tanjevic having nice experience in the past and it seems Italians are now set to bring another coach from abroad. There was connection between Tanjevic and Mahmudi as they are both coaches from former Yugoslavia. 

Before Benetton Treviso, Oktay Mahmudi spent seven years as a head coach of the Turkish powerhouse Efes Pilsen. They won four championship titles, four trophies in National Cup and reached Euroleague Quarterfinals twice. Another thing which could possibly confirm this rumor is that coach Mahmudi is currently available and it remains to be seen in the coming days will this deal materialize or not.  


source : eurobasket.com