KK Olimpija

For other uses, see Olimpija Ljubljana (disambiguation).

KK Union Olimpija
KK Union Olimpija logo
Leagues	UPC Telemach League Euroleague Adriatic League
Founded	1946
Arena	Arena Stožice (capacity: 13,000)
Location	Ljubljana, Slovenia
Team colors	Green and White
President	Janez Rajgelj
Head coach	Sašo Filipovski
Championships	15 National Championships 17 National Cups 6 Slovenian Supercups 6 Yugoslav Championships 1 Adriatic Championship 1 Saporta Cup 2 SBA League Championships
Website	Olimpija.com
Home Away

KK Union Olimpija is a professional basketball team that is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The team currently competes in the Premier A Slovenian League, the Adriatic League, and the Euroleague.

History

In the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, green and white are the colours of Union Olimpija, a club that has become known as something of a talent farm. Olimpija basketball club, was founded in 1946 as a section of the Svoboda Physical Culture Society. The first basketball game was played the same year against Udarnik and Olimpija came out on top with the score of 37-14. Late in 1946, the club was renamed Enotnost and was known by that name until 1954 when it assumed the name ASK Olimpia.

Since 1997, the club has been called by it current name, Union Olimpija. Olimpija conquered its first YUBA Liga title of then Yugoslavia in 1957. In one of the world's best emerging leagues, Olimpija went on to dominate the next 15 years, winning the Yugoslav title five more times, in 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966 and 1970. A new era for the club began with Slovenia's independence, when dominance took on another meaning, namely 10 consecutive years of winning both the league and cup trophies in Slovenia.

On the international stage, 1993–94 was the club's best season as they took home the European Cup against the Spanish ACB League club Tau Ceramica under the direction of coach Zmago Sagadin. In 2001–02, the Slovenian team won the small triple crown, taking the Slovenian League championship, Slovenian Cup, and the Adriatic League. The club added to its trophy collection in 2002–03, winning the Slovenian Cup.

Naming

The club was established in 1946 as the basketball department of the larger sports club Svoboda (in English, "Freedom"). Later it changed names quite a few times, from Enotnost (1947–54) (Unity) to AŠK Olimpija (1955–76), to Brest Olimpija (1977–78), to Iskra Olimpija (1979–82), to ZZI Olimpija (1983), to Smelt Olimpija (1984, 1986–96), and finally, to Union Olimpija (1997-now). The last five names of the team have all included names of the main sponsors of the team.

Arenas

File:Stozice3.jpg

Arena Stožice

The team played in Tabor Gymnasium first, then moved to the 6,000 capacity Dvorana Tivoli sports arena in 1965. The club then moved into their new arena, Arena Stožice, with a capacity of 13,000, in 2010.

Roster

Template:Euroleague roster header |- | style="text-align:center;" | G | style="text-align:center;" | 4 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Špan, Jan | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 31 – (1992-11-20)20 November 1992 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | PG | style="text-align:center;" | 6 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Ilievski, Vlado | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 82 kg (181 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 44 – (1980-01-19)19 January 1980 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | PF | style="text-align:center;" | 7 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Boisa, Vladimir | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 102 kg (225 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 43 – (1981-07-04)4 July 1981 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | C | style="text-align:center;" | 8 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Anagonye, Aloysius | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 115 kg (254 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 43 – (1981-02-10)10 February 1981 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | G/F | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Gregory, Kenny | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 95 kg (209 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 45 – (1978-11-16)16 November 1978 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | G | style="text-align:center;" | 10 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Salin, Sasu | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 86 kg (190 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 33 – (1991-06-11)11 June 1991 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | SF | style="text-align:center;" | 11 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Murić, Dino  | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 34 – (1990-02-14)14 February 1990 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | F | style="text-align:center;" | 12 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Jagodnik, Goran (C) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 104 kg (229 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 50 – (1974-05-23)23 May 1974 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | C | style="text-align:center;" | 16 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Shermadini, Giorgi | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 120 kg (265 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 35 – (1989-04-02)2 April 1989 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | SG | style="text-align:center;" | 18 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Klobučar, Jaka | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 91 kg (201 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 37 – (1987-08-19)19 August 1987 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | PF | style="text-align:center;" | 22 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Markota, Damir | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 118 kg (260 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 38 – (1985-12-26)26 December 1985 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | SF | style="text-align:center;" | 24 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Bertans, Davis | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 31 – (1992-11-12)12 November 1992 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | G | style="text-align:center;" | 31 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Ožbolt, Sašo | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 85 kg (187 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 43 – (1981-04-04)4 April 1981 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

|- | style="text-align:center;" | SG | style="text-align:center;" | 33 | style="text-align:center;" | | style="text-align:left;" | Udrih, Samo | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 93 kg (205 lb) | style="text-align:left; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%" | 45 – (1979-08-02)2 August 1979 | style="text-align:center; white-space:nowrap; font-size: 85%"| |-

Depth Chart

Pos.	Starter	Bench	Bench	Reserve	Injured
C		Aloysius Anagonye
PF	Damir Markota	Goran Jagodnik	Vladimir Boisa
SF	Kenny Gregory	Davis Bertans			Dino Murić
SG	Sašo Ožbolt	Samo Udrih	Jaka Klobučar	Sasu Salin
PG	Vlado Ilievski	Jan Špan

In

• Suad Šehović (from Bosna)
• Goran Jagodnik (from Hemofarm)
• Sasu Salin (from Honka Espoo Playboys)
• Damir Markota (from Bizkaia Bilbao Basket)
• Kevinn Pinkney (from Hapoel Jerusalem B.C.)
• Kenny Gregory (from PAOK B.C.)
• Giorgi Shermadini (from Panathinaikos BC) -on loan
• Aloysius Anagonye (from Autocid Ford Burgos)
• Zoran Vrkić (from Split)
• Marque Perry (from Beşiktaş Cola Turka)
• Vladimir Boisa (from Zadar)
• Dino Murić (from Parklji Ljubljana)
• Klemen Lorbek (from Helios Domžale)
• Davis Bertans (from BK Barons Riga)
• Samo Udrih (from Panellinios B.C.)
• Jaka Klobučar (from Partizan Belgrade)

Out

• Nemanja Aleksandrov (to Scavolini Pesaro)
• Stipe Modrić (to Anwil Włocławek)
• Jaka Klobučar (to Partizan Belgrade)
• Luka Vončina (to Charlotte 49ers)
• Matic Sirnik (to Janče)
• Jure Lalić (to Cibona)
• Dušan Djordjević (to Krka)
• Edin Bavčić (to Enel Brindisi)
• Paweł Kikowski (to Trefl Sopot)
• Milorad Šutulović (to Igokea )
• Miha Glavaš (to Ellsworth Community College)
• Zoran Vrkić(to Peristeri B.C.)
• Klemen Lorbek(to Geoplin Slovan)
• Marque Perry
• Kevinn Pinkney(to BC Enisey Krasnoyarsk)
• Suad Šehović (to Bosna)

Out on Loan

• Luka Grum (to Triglav Kranj)
• Žiga Markus (to Triglav Kranj)
• Andrej Lebedincev (to LTHCast Mercator)
• Djordje Mičić (to LTHCast Mercator)
• Gezim Morina (to LTHCast Mercator)
• Dejan Radojević (to LTHCast Mercator)
• Tomasz Nowakowski (to LTHCast Mercator)

Notable successes

SFR Yugoslavia:

• Champions of former Yugoslavian League (6): 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1970

Slovenia:

• Champions of Slovenian League (15): 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
• Champions of Slovenian National Cup (17): 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 , 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
• Champions of Slovenian Super Cup (6): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009

International competitions:

• Champions of Adriatic League (1): 2001-02
• Champions of Saporta Cup (1): 1993-94
• 3rd place in Euroleague: 1996-97
• Euroleague Semifinals (2): 1961-62, 1966-67 (Final Four)
• SBA League Champions (2): 1994, 1995

Notable players

Slovenia: Borut Bassin Sani Bečirovič Primož Brezec Ivo Daneu Jaka Daneu Goran Dragić - Gregor Fučka Boris Gorenc Dušan Hauptman Roman Horvat Vinko Jelovac Jaka Klobučar Slavko Kotnik Marko Milič Boštjan Nachbar Radoslav Nesterovič Pavle Polanec Uroš Slokar Slobodan Subotič Marko Tušek Beno Udrih Gašper Vidmar Peter Vilfan Jurij Zdovc Miha Zupan Aljoša Žorga

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Edin Bavčić - Mirza Begić Jasmin Hukić -- Ivica Jurković Haris Mujezinović Aleksandar Radojević - Hasan Rizvić Croatia Marino Baždarić Krešimir Ćosić - Jurica Golemac Emilio Kovačić - Marijan Kraljević - Stipe Modrić Sandro Nicević Joško Poljak Damjan Rudež Luka Žorić Czech Republic Jiří Welsch Finland Teemu Rannikko Georgia - Vladimir Boisa Manuchar Markoishvili - Vladimir Stepania

Israel Yotam Halperin Latvia Roberts Štelmahers Lithuania Šarūnas Jasikevičius Mindaugas Žukauskas Mali Soumaila Samake Montenegro Vladimir Golubović Suad Šehović Netherlands Remon van de Hare Nigeria Aloysius Anagonye Tunji Awojobi Olumide Oyedeji Poland Paweł Kikowski Puerto Rico Andrés Rodríguez Republic of Macedonia Dušan Bocevski - Vlado Ilievski

Russia Vitaly Nosov Serbia Nemanja Aleksandrov Radisav Čurčić - Ratko Varda Turkey Ender Arslan USA Walter Berry Lorinza Harrington Darren Henrie DeMarco Johnson - Ariel McDonald Jimmy Oliver Marque Perry Kevinn Pinkney John Taylor Matt Walsh

Olimpija players who have played in the NBA

Radisav Čurčić Marko Milič Radoslav Nesterovič - Vladimir Stepania Boštjan Nachbar Primož Brezec Soumaila Samake

Šarūnas Jasikevičius Walter Berry Beno Udrih Jiří Welsch Aleksandar Radojević - Ratko Varda Olumide Oyedeji

Jimmy Oliver DeMarco Johnson Goran Dragič Lorinza Harrington Uroš Slokar Matt Walsh Damir Markota

Kevinn Pinkney

External links

• Template:Sl icon Official Site
  • Official Club Information in English
• Euroleague.net Official Team Profile
• Basketpedya.com Profile