Dimitris Itoudis has even higher ambitions for Fenerbahce after a solid season / News - Basketnews.com

In his first season as head coach of Fenerbahce, Dimitris Itoudis brought back the Turkish club to the EuroLeague playoffs. For next season, the ambition will be even higher. Fenerbahce will need to make some changes over the summer to reach the Final Four, but there's already a good basis in place.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Life after Zeljko Obradovic can be pretty hard, just ask Panathinaikos. After having probably the best coach around for many years, replacing him and moving on with your life can be difficult.

It's what happened toFenerbahce Beko Istanbul, too, after the departure of the Serbian maestro. During his time in Istanbul, Obradovic won one EuroLeague title, four Turkish leagues, three Turkish cups, and three Turkish Super Cups, and went to the Final Four on two other occasions.

In 2020, coach Obradovic left Fenerbahce, and the Turkish side had to start its life without him.

To return to the splendors of the Obradovic era, Fenerbahce has decided to turn to what has been the Serbian coach's closest associate for years,Dimitris Itoudis. Fenerbahce came to the starting blocks of the EuroLeague season with top-level ambitions. And the first part of the season in the EuroLeague with Itoudis was inspiring in all aspects.

After the first 12 rounds, the Turkish team had only cashed in two losses against Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Up to that point, Fenerbahce absolutely dominated the regular season, and statistical data indicated that the work done by Ituodis was proving to be immediately effective.

Indeed, the Turkish club had the best offensive rating (122.0 points per 100 possessions) and the best defensive rating in the competition (107.0 points per 100 possessions) after the first 12 rounds.

In recent weeks, Fenerbahce renewed the contracts ofMarko GuduricandNigel Hayes-Davis, two key players for coach Itoudis. The team is also working on a contract extension for

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