EuroLeague welcomes 16 first-time referees at Preseason Clinic in Wroclaw

84 referees, including 16 first-timers

This year’s clinic welcomed 84 referees, including 16 first-time officials: Tolga Akkusoglu, Joaquin Garcia Gonzalez, Edoardo Gonella, Cisil Gungor, Dogu Berk Innal, Ignas Jablonskas, Dovydas Kairys, Karol Kowalski, Christopher Lemaire, Vojislav Lepetic, Matteo Lucotti, Silvia Marziali, Marko Mustapic, Jaroslav Pazourek, Alberto Sanchez Sixto and Ioannis Tsimpouris.

The clinic also featured 18 referee coaches, with three attending for the first time: Caslav Cukalovic, Benjamin Jimenez and Rustu Nuran.

Representatives from the ABA League and VTB League also attended the event.

Bodiroga, Martinez and Scariolo among the participants

The opening session featured remarks from Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga, CEO Jesus Bueno, who joined online, and Officiating Director Daniel Hierrezuelo, who led the clinic for the fourth time.

Also involved throughout the four days were Costas Rigas, former Senior Director and Officiating Scouting & Recruitment Supervisor, Real Madrid head coach Pedro Martinez, EuroLeague Head Coaches Board Vice President Sergio Scariolo, Executive Director Goran Sacic, Officiating Sports Psychologist Mar Rovira and Officiating Physical Conditioning & Training Coach Gianluca Mazzoncini.

Rules, IRS and video analysis

The four-day program included fitness testing, a rules test and updates on statistics and IRS rule changes.

Participants also attended a presentation by Costas Rigas, a head coach session with Pedro Martinez and a talk from former EuroLeague player Bostjan Nachbar.

Breakout sessions focused on IRS practice and video analysis, covering AOS, mechanics, disruptive and flagrant fouls, block/charge, cylinder and path plays.

A team-building activity was also included in the program.

Communication and teamwork in focus

The clinic concluded on Sunday with a session focused on teamwork, communication and marginal calls, led by Hierrezuelo, followed by the closing address.

An optional IRS practice session led by Asimina Stamatiou also took place.

The Wroclaw clinic marked another step in Euroleague Basketball’s ongoing effort to raise officiating standards and ensure its referees are prepared for the new season.