In the annals of European basketball, few names resonate with the intellectual depth and audacious courage of Bogdan Tanjevic. A true “citizen of the world,” Tanjevic isn`t merely a coach; he`s a philosopher of the hardwood, a strategist whose influence transcended borders and shaped an era. From his serene home in Trieste, with his granddaughter in his arms, the last coach to lead Italy to EuroBasket gold in 1999 reflects on a life lived by unwavering principles and pivotal, often controversial, decisions.
The Unconventional Path to Gold: The Pozzecco Paradox
The tale of Italy`s 1999 EuroBasket victory is as much about unity forged in adversity as it is about Tanjevic`s fearless leadership. The journey began with a decision that sent shockwaves through Italian basketball: the exclusion of Gianmarco Pozzecco. At the time, Pozzecco was a phenomenon, the undisputed star of Serie A, fresh off leading Varese to an improbable league title. His omission was, as Tanjevic recalls, “a minor scandal.”
Tanjevic`s rationale was surgically precise, characteristic of his technical approach:
“Poz was a player I liked: courageous, fast; his technical diversity captivated me. But he wasn`t the playmaker that team needed to control the flow of the game. For him, a different type of game was required; I would have had to rebuild the team in his image. And that simply wouldn`t work.”
This wasn`t a personal slight but a cold, calculated assessment of team chemistry and strategic fit. Tanjevic was building a “symphony of 12 people,” a collective where individual brilliance needed to serve a higher purpose. For a team to achieve greatness, egos, even those belonging to the league`s brightest stars, sometimes needed “a discount.”
Forging Unity from Doubt
Initial skepticism surrounding the team quickly turned into genuine doubt. They stumbled early, losing a seemingly won game against Croatia and struggling against a formidable Lithuania. “At that point,” Tanjevic admits, “the possibility of great success wasn`t even hinted at.” Yet, from the quarter-finals onwards, against powerhouses like Russia, Yugoslavia, and Spain, something shifted. The team “compacted.”
This transformation was the direct result of Tanjevic`s unwavering philosophy. He demanded specific roles, even from established talents like Myers, whom he tasked with strong defense. His gift was making every player feel like a winner, integrating them into a cohesive unit that eventually played “calm, without the burden of doubt.” It was a masterclass in psychological management and tactical adaptation.
The Sincerity of a Strategist: A Coach Beyond the Court
Often dubbed an “intellectual of the bench,” Tanjevic`s approach to coaching is deeply rooted in his broader interests beyond the court. “I don`t just come from the field; I love literature, study… All of this helps, especially when you are called to guide a group of people,” he explains. His method is profoundly humanistic, focusing on understanding the individuals he leads:
“It`s about entering the lives of others: if you can think like the other, understand their desires, needs, and fears, then you can lighten their load, taking their fears onto your shoulders. Encouraging becomes more natural when you know many lives and many destinies. Everything starts with sincerity.”
This empathetic understanding allowed him to strip away the anxieties that often plague high-stakes competition. He famously referred to major clashes as “Omaha Beach,” viewing them not just as games but as strategic landings in enemy territory, demanding courage and clear objectives.
A Legacy of Confidence and Reconciliation
The 1999 victory left an indelible mark, instilling in Italian basketball a newfound self-belief. “Above all, not being afraid of Yugoslavia,” Tanjevic states, highlighting their dominance over the formidable Yugoslavian (now Serbian) team, winning 8 out of 9 encounters in four years. This record built an “autostima” that resonated for years.
Time, too, healed old wounds. Tanjevic`s relationship with Gianmarco Pozzecco evolved from a contentious exclusion to a bond of mutual respect. “Gianmarco and I are similar as people in many ways,” he notes, recalling offering advice when Pozzecco began coaching: “`Poz, now you have to do the exact opposite of what you thought.`” Today, their meetings are filled with “hugs and kisses.”
Giants on the Court and Bench: Empowering Players
When asked about the “true phenomena” he coached, Tanjevic is effusive. “I had to deal with great men and great players.” He singles out Dino Meneghin, a titan of Italian basketball. “Imagine I coached Dino Meneghin for three years? A pride greater than this is not possible!” Tanjevic praises Meneghin`s integrity and humility, suggesting he`d make a “fantastic President of the Republic.”
His player-empowerment philosophy was direct and devoid of mystique. “I told my players: `Don`t hide behind me.`” There would be no last-minute magic from the coach. “Take the situation into your own hands: either you do it or you don`t. There`s nothing to wait for, shoot.” He sought to “liberate them from this weight” of overthinking responsibility, effectively telling them that sometimes, the most responsible thing to do is simply act. The irony, of course, is that he liberated them by demanding they embrace the very thing they feared.
Tanjevic`s trust in youth stemmed from his own experience, being a 17-year-old starting playmaker. “Why couldn`t I do the same with my players, believing they could be good?” This self-assurance and belief in nascent talent were hallmarks of his career.
A Gaze Towards the Future
Even now, Tanjevic keeps a keen eye on the current Italian national team. He expresses approval for the “new faces with important roles” and notes the unfortunate absence of the fast and excellent defender, Tonut. He sees promise in younger players like Niang, who “will emerge as a special player,” and Diouf, whom he describes as a “good big man, already important.” “We have size,” he concludes, a pragmatic assessment from a coach who always prioritized tactical advantages.
Bogdan Tanjevic`s narrative is a testament to the power of conviction, strategic thinking, and a profound understanding of the human spirit. His legacy is not just in the medals won, but in the minds he shaped and the courage he instilled, forever changing the trajectory of Italian basketball. His story continues to inspire, a reminder that true leadership often demands the unconventional, a deep empathy, and an unwavering belief in the collective.
