Croatian Basketball's Crisis: Alanović Sounds the Alarm

Croatian Basketball in Crisis: Expert Highlights Financial Woes and Infrastructure Gaps ZAGREB, CROATIA – The state of Croatian basketball is a cause for concern, according to Vladan Alanović, a prominent basketball analyst. In a recent interview with Net.hr, Alanović painted a grim picture of the sport's current condition, citing several key issues. "The situation in Croatian basketball is alarming," Alanović stated. He pointed to the significant financial disparities between Croatian clubs and their Serbian counterparts as a major problem. "Compared to Partizan and Zvezda, Croatian clubs have budgets that are 20 to 30 times smaller," he explained. Beyond finances, Alanović also highlighted the lack of adequate infrastructure. He noted the insufficient number of basketball courts, impacting training and development at all levels, from youth to senior teams. "Cibona, for example, is struggling. They're losing game slots in their own arena," he added. Alanović also stressed the need for improved coach training and education, suggesting that this is another factor contributing to the decline. He proposed a long-term solution involving collaboration with experts and a comprehensive review of the current system. Despite the challenges, Alanović expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues systematically to ensure the future of Croatian basketball.