By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Predrag Krunic has signed a contract to become the head coach of Hapoel Netanel Holon for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, the club announced on Monday. Entering Basketball Champions League Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, the 58-year-old expert returns to FIBA Europe’s top-tier club competition. He previously served as the play-caller for Telekom Baskets Bonn between 2017 and 2019.
Krunic’s extensive career includes stints in Poland, Russia, Serbia, and Japan, though he is best known for his work in Germany. Most notably, he led EWE Baskets Oldenburg to the only Bundesliga championship in franchise history during the 2008–09 season. After reuniting with Oldenburg last May, he was dismissed in December following a poor string of results.
The Israeli club parted ways with Yoav Shamir on Saturday. Shamir had previously replaced Danny Franco and was appointed as head coach through the end of the season. However, the tactician declined an offer to revert to an assistant role upon a team decision to hire a new head coach, leading to his departure.
From Hapoel Holon’s 0-3 start in Group I in the Round of 16 to Karditsa Iaponiki’s 0-3 record in Group J, Devonte Upson arrived on Saturday to strengthen the squad. Similar to Krunic, the 32-year-old center returns to the BCL following two appearances in the Qualification Rounds 2024 with PAOK mateco. The experienced center signed for the rest of the season.
Chasing their first Round of 16 win on Tuesday, Karditsa hosts AEK in Giannis Bourousis Karditsa Municipal Indoor Sports Hall and Hapoel Holon faces Rytas in Samokov’s Arena SamElyon.