By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giorgos Dedas is the new head coach of Filou Oostende, the team announced on Friday. The 45-year-old Greek tactician penned a two-year contract with an option for an additional season to succeed long-time play-caller of the Basketball Champions League lasting original, Dario Gjergja.
“I am delighted to join Filou Oostende. It is a champion team and we want to keep it that way,” the new boss described the task, referring to Gjergja securing every available Belgian championship since 2012 and further success in his 14-year tenure, including appearances in each of the Champions League editions since the inaugural 2016-17 season.
The native of Komotini served as an assistant coach of Rytas over the last five years, following earlier similar assignments with Avtodor, Olympiacos, Trikala Aries, and AEK since ending his playing days in 2016. On the opposite path, 49-year-old Gjergja departed at the end of the 2024-25 season to take over Limoges CSP in France’s Betclic Elite.
Estonian expert Heiko Rannula signed a three-year contract extension with Legia Warsaw, as officially confirmed five days after winning Poland’s Orlen Basket Liga. With the first domestic league championship since 1969 clinching a berth in the 2025-26 BCL Regular Season, the 41-year-old tactician will resurface following the Qualification Rounds of the 2023-24 campaign with Kalev/Cramo.
Elsewhere in the pack, 28-year-old Strahinja Jovanovic penned a one-year contract with Falco Szombathely to return to the Champions League Qualifiers after one game with Mornar-Barsko zlato at the top of the 2023-24 season.