Itoudis reacts to Jasikevicius and Efes coaching staff conflict: 'We'll find the solution' / News - Basketnews.com

The president of the EuroLeague head coaches board Dimitris Itoudis said he didn't have a chance to talk with Sarunas Jasikevicius and Anadolu Efes Istanbul coaching staff yet.

Credit: dpa/picture-alliance - Scanpix Credit dpa/picture-alliance - Scanpix

The president of the EuroLeague head coaches board, Dimitris Itoudis, shared his views on the conflict between Sarunas Jasikevicius and the Anadolu Efes coaching staff.

After the loss in Istanbul,Sarunas Jasikeviciusaccused Anadolu Efes coaching staff of secretly filming Barcelona's practice before the game.

"We have to say some things sometimes when we believe in them, and we move on. What I said to him, everybody understands in our business. But the best things are left in coaches' community," Jasikevicius said in the press conference."

BasketNews asked Itoudis in Istanbul how he views the situation and how the association will handle this altercation.

"First of all, we're very happy we have this association. We are happy we expanded it to the EuroLeague and EuroCup assistant coaches. Our plan is also to expand to every coach on the European scene. And not only in Europe. Arab countries, Asian part. We're looking forward to expanding more and more," Itoudis started his statement. "We're happy that this unites so many great coaches and people. We also have a great collaboration with Belgrade University and ally universities that accomplished to educate so many people all over the world.

"This is a serious job. I'm honored by it, and we take it very seriously," Itoudis reacted to an important topic.

"I didn't have time to talk with Ergin or Saras and to analyze the situation. Definitely, when I'm going to talk and see the situation, I will know more. But we're adults. We're leading a group of people and great clubs that have many fans behind them. We're going to deal with that in the house, and we're going to become better, myself and everybody," Itoudis continued.

"Don't forget this is a sport of emotions. Things maybe sometimes... But I didn't witness that, I don't know what happened exactly. So I'm going to be updated and informed. We'll keep it in the house. And we'll get better."

"They're experienced. They like what they do, they like basketball. They're helping the head coaches board, EuroLeague, and basketball to grow. But things are happening. So many altercations we have had throughout the years. We said this is a men's world, a sport of emotions. But we're going to find a solution. Both are great, they represent their clubs and national teams in a great way. So I'm very optimistic. That will be dealt into the house with people who have education and understanding," Itoudis concluded.

Jasikevicius was involved in the altercation with Efes' assistant Tomislav Mijatovic.

That disappointed the entire Efes team, and Ataman made some harsh comments after the game.

"You know, Saras recently made a joke in his statement, 'I'm going to call Ergin Ataman to ask about Larkin's situation.' He didn't call last night, but I'm waiting for an apology call from him this evening," Ataman responded. "After shaking hands with him after the game, he walked up to my assistant coaches and made a very heavy accusation that we filmed their practices on camera."

"He's a good friend of mine. I invite Saras to prove this. We haven't done such a thing even for a single day in our four-five years of service here at Efes, and we never will," Ataman continued.

"If Saras calls me, I will say, 'Saras, prove it. If you can prove this, I will resign today as the head coach of this team. But if you don't prove it, if you really can't prove it, then either you apologize for your behavior towards my assistant coaches, or you resign for making such an address, or resign from the Euroleague coaches association'."

Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.