Danish delegation take hope of implementing knowledge from Zalgiris Coaches Clinic 0

The partnership between Zalgiris Kaunas and the Danish basketball federation that came together last year, is catching even more momentum. Last week, a group of young Danish basketball players and a delegations of coaches from Denmark and Israel.

Three Danish boys teams from the Stenhus Basketball Academy came to Kaunas, where they worked with coaches from Zalgiris’ system. The young players not only listened to the instructions of the Lithuanian basketball specialists, but also played friendly games against Zalgiris-3 and Zalgiris basketball school teams.

Meanwhile, 12 coaches from Denmark and Israel took in practical and theoretical knowledge in the Zalgiris Certificate Clinic coaches clinic. It is expected that next year, even more basketball specialists will take part in the clinic to advance their basketball knowledge and coaching skills.

One of the Zalgiris coaches that worked with both groups was Tomas Masiulis, who works with Zalgiris’ main team. He noted that this is a chance for an exchange of knowledge and ideas between different coaches.

“We want to help the coaches and players familiarize with our system. We have a lot of coaches coming, it’s nice to have such an interest. The coach, just like the player, must always take interest, try to improve. Basketball never stops and keeps progressing, it’s nice to exchange ideas and learn something useful for yourself.”

Denmark men’s national team head coach Erez Bittman was back in Kaunas for his second straight year, and was happy the partnership helps Danish basketball players and coaches develop and improve.

“It’s our second year in a row that we are coming here. I think last year the program was very good, this year it was even better. For our players it’s a great school to be here for a few days. We also brought ten coaches from Denmark. These are the coaches that we want to be knowledgeable leaders in Denmark. It gives us a lot, for the players and coaches. One thing that is very unique is the passion of the coaches. Every coach after five minutes is already sweating, they’re doing everything with passion. And they’re willing to share all the information and all their knowledge.”

The coach addressed that just a couple days of intense work in Kaunas gave the coaches an abundance of useful information and experience.

“I really hope that after the coaches will give good feedback and next time we can come with even more coaches. I think that what our coaches got here in three days, they wouldn’t get it in another place in a year.”

The coaches also had the chance to watch the EuroLeague game between Zalgiris and FC Barcelona.