The executive committee of Slovenia's basketball association unanimously approved the naming of Jure Zdovc. The outcome couldn't have been different. Zdovc was the committee's first choice because with him Slovenia achieved its best result ever at a European Championship. He signed a two-year contract with the possibility of extending it for an additional year. He will thus lead Slovenia at this year's basketball world championship in Spain and at next year's European championship in the Ukraine. The contract will be extended if the team makes it to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, or at least wins a spot for the Olympic qualifying tournament.

"If I'm honest, I did silently expect to get in contact with the association. Luckily it happened and I'm now very much looking forward to the days, matches and preparation phases which await us," said Zdovc, who also admitted that coming to the press conference he was overwhelmed with feelings: "It's difficult to control your feelings. Being the head coach of Slovenia's national team carries a lot of responsibility. At the same time it's also an honour. So when I sat in front of all you journalists, it all came out."

Expectations are high, and they should be
Even at the end of 2008, when the once terrific point guard of the Slovenian and Yugoslav national teams took over as Slovenia’s new head coach, he said his team aimed to win a medal. In Poland the team was close, they had to settle for fourth place, but still achieved Slovenia's best result ever. Also today Zdovc has big ambitions: "I think I haven't really changed regarding my goals. They remain high. At the end that's also what the media and public demand. Expectations are always high, and that's the way it should be. We, the players and the association, have to be under pressure. Without pressure you have no real matches or practice sessions. The pressure keeps us "up". And in that sense nothing has changed."

Give opportunities to the young
Zdovc announced some changes to the squad from the last Eurobasket in which Slovenia, as a host nation, finished fifth. He will include more young players in the squad; something the last head coach Božidar Maljković already started doing. But he hasn't closed the door to any player yet. He has also thought about those who have played for the national team in the past, primarily Beno Udrih, with whom he also played together, and Saša Vujačić.

"The team is capable of going all the way. A change of generations is in process in every national team, and it's good to see what’s happening elsewhere. I can certainly say that Slovenian basketball players are highly respected in Europe. They're considered diligent, hardworking and smart. They have all the characteristics that any coach would like his player to have. You hear that from all foreign experts and it proves that we do have quality. That's what we have to believe in and sometimes we fail to do that. We also lack boldness and pride."