Baskonia announced on Wednesday the end of its collaboration with Paolo Galbiati, in charge since August 2025. One win, four defeats, bottom of the EuroLeague. And the new coach is the old one. Velimir Perasovic. For the fourth time.
Me, I picture an announcement like that as a Saturday night at half past eight. Lights off, well, half of them, the caretaker keeps the other half. The two school fête spotlights on the changing-room door.
“Mesdames et messieurs, dames en heren. Player here from 1993 to 1997. Coach from 2005 to 2007, when the club was called Tau Ceramica. Again in 2015-2016. Again in 2018-2019. Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup in 2006. Coached Unics Kazan over the last five years. Make some noise for…”
The two-second blank.
“… Velimiiir Perasovic!” [jingle]
And here I ask myself an announcer’s question. Does a comeback get a new jingle or the old one? I looked into it. The jingle I cut myself in 2019 is still on the USB stick, between the anthem and the dinosaur music. I’d bring it out again. Four entrances, one tune: that’s a proper home.
I don’t forget the man on his way out. Paolo Galbiati won the Copa del Rey last year with the club. An exit, at my place, gets said on the mic too: “thank you, coach”, and we clap, even when the PA has an opinion.
Four entrances by the same man. Noted: he doesn’t need his name spelled out.
Baskonia just announced it. Just saying. I’d have done the entrance.
It’s true, we checked: BasketNews.
