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Marko Petrovic (photo by flickr.com/Emily Bogden)

Being Aleksandar Petrovic’s son and Drazen Petrovic’s nephew never really helped talented 6’4” combo guard Marko Petrovic in his basketball career.

After leaving his alma mater Cibona Zagreb, Petrovic was a part of stellar Findlay Prep (Las Vegas, Nevada) squad in 2009/10 and University of San Francisko freshman in 2010/11.

Although he showed quite a promise for USF Dons while averaging 5.8 points, 1.9 boards and 1.1 assists in 17.4 minutes per game in his freshman season, Petrovic has decided to alternate his career path.

Having signed three-year deal Petrovic has reportedly joined his father’s and uncle’s alma mater Sibenik which might be on a way to make some serious domestic competition to respective Dalmatian counterparts Split and Zadar.

Expect Petrovic to bring a unique set of skills as well as invaluable international experience on board of exciting Jolly Jadranska Banka Sibenik squad which also reportedly added PG Ronald Ross, G/F Luka Katura, F Stipe Rezic and C Denis Vrsaljko.

 Rudez is known or his “defense wins games” approach

Young Croatian expert Ivan Rudez took over as the head coach of BC Vienna, Austrian team which has finished 2010/11 season as the 10th ranked team in Austrian Championship.

Rudez, who was one of the key assistants to Cedevita Zagreb ex-head coach Aleksandar “Aco” Petrovic during the past season, has reportedly reached one-year agreement with the ambitious team from the Austrian capitol.

Drazen Anzulovic (photo by kkcedevita.hr)

Two weeks after splitting ways with Aleksandar “Aco” Petrovic, Cedevita Zagreb has agreed with  Drazen “Zula” Anzulovic to take over head coaching duties for next couple of seasons.

44-Year old Anzulovic, who coached Cedevita’s local rival Cibona Zagreb for the part of the last season, has also previously coached Charleroi, Ural Great, Donjetsk and Lietuvos Rytas.

For the upcoming season Cedevita will increase it’s player’s payroll for another 10-15%. Team management’s priority right now is to add a couple of proven and experienced frontcourt players.

Anzulovic’s statement: “We have potential, with intention to show our Euroleague ambition through the roster we are currently assembling. I hope that in a year time we will talk about Euroleague.”

According to Cedevita Zagreb President Mladen Veber “Atlantic Group will continue it’s ongoing support of Cedevita Zagreb”.

Cedevita Zagreb management board has decided to part ways with the head coach Aleksandar “Aco” Petrovic mainly because the ball club was not able to reach 2011/12 Euroleague edition which was it’s major objective for the past season. Petrovic’s successor remains unknown.

Zagreb CO edged Cedevita 85:89 after the game 3 overtime and by sweeping the final series won it’s first ever Croatian title. This accomplishment locked Zagreb CO as #1 team in 2010/11 Croatian Euroleague race and made the dream come true for the “Ants” from Trnsko.

Yesterday, SG Kruno Simon led the way for Zagreb CO with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while “U.S. connection” consisting of G Alex Renfroe & PF Josh Heytvelt combined for 28 points and 14 rebounds. Future Croatian NT PG Dontaye Draper had 20 points for Cedevita on 8-14 shooting.

General impression is that Zagreb CO head coach Ivica Buric made the right replacements at the right moments and was able to fully exploit great roster potential which was on his disposal. Cedevita’s coach Aleksandar Petrovic was not able to match that during the entire series.

COMING UP: MORE DETAILED ANALYSES…

In front of 2500 spectators in Trnsko, Zagreb CO managed to take advantage of their homecourt and to win game 2 of the final series by 82:72. Home team grabbed the early lead but Cedevita managed to stay close at the halftime (37:36) thanks to a solid shooting night by SG Robert Troha (13 points).

In the 3rd quarter Cedevita managed to take the lead but after a series of questionable referee calls both Cedevita’s head coach Aleksandar “Aco” Petrovic and it’s key inside player F/C Corsley Edwards (5 fouls in 10 minutes) were ejected from the game after receiving technical fouls.

With Petrovic replaced by assistant Ivan Rudez Cedevita became a relatively easy bite for Zagreb CO, especially after 19-3 streak in the closing stage of the game. Croatian A1 League MVP  Luka Zoric was again impressive on his way to 34 points (12-20 from the field, 10-16 from the line, 7 rebounds).

After the game Cedevita’s players, coaches and club officials were not available for comments.
Game 3 of this heated local series is scheduled for Saturday, June 4th (20.15 CET).

Croatian Championship playoff will begin on Tuesday, May 17th 2011.

Best-of-three series are going to be played in 1-1-1 format.

CROATIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (M) – SEMIFINALS, GAME 1s

Zadar(2) vs Zagreb CO(3)   79:98 (Zagreb CO leads the series 0:1)

Cedevita Zagreb(1) vs Cibona Zagreb(4)   75:72 (Cedevita leads the series 1:0)

CROATIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (M) – SEMIFINALS, GAME 2s

Zagreb CO(3) vs Zadar(2)  84:78 (Zagreb CO has won the series by 2:0)

Cibona Zagreb(4) vs Cedevita Zagreb(1)    107:88 (series is even at 1:1)

CROATIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (M) – SEMIFINALS, GAME 3

Cedevita Zagreb (1) vs Cibona Zagreb (4)   92:80 (Cedevita has won the series 2-1)

CROATIAN CHAMPIONSHIP (M) FINALS – SCHEDULE

Cedevita Zagreb (1) vs Zagreb CO (3) – Game 1, May 28th   58:73

Zagreb CO (3) vs Cedevita Zagreb (1) – Game 2, June 1st 82:72

Cedevita Zagreb (1) vs Zagreb CO (3) – Game 3, June 4th 85:89 (OT)

Zagreb CO has won the final series by 3:0