BC Krka

KK Krka
Leagues	Telemach League Adriatic League EuroChallenge
Founded	1948 (1948)
History	KK Novo Mesto Partizan (1948–1963) KK Novoteks (1963–1992) KK Novo Mesto 1992 (1992–1997) KK Krka (1997–)
Arena	Leon Štukelj Hall (capacity: 2,500)
Location	Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Team colors	Green, White
President	Brane Kastelec
Head coach	Aleksandar Džikić
Championships	6 Slovenian Championships 3 Slovenian Supercups 1 FIBA EuroChallenge
Website	basket.krka.si

Košarkarski Klub Krka (English: Basketball Club Krka), commonly referred to as KK Krka or simply Krka, is a professional basketball team that is based in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. The team currently competes in the Slovenian Telemach League, the Adriatic League, and the FIBA EuroChallenge. The team's home arena is Leon Štukelj Hall.

History

1948–2002

The first basketball club in Novo Mesto was founded in 1948, but not until 1983, the year of its 35th anniversary, was the city able to celebrate the conquer of the Slovenian national championship. After that triumph, however, basketball saw a decline in Novo Mesto that lasted until after the separation of the Slovenian Republic from the former Yugoslavia. Soon the team was climbing through the second division to rejoin the Slovenian First League in 1997, when it also took the name of its sponsor, Krka. A fourth-place finish in the national league and third in the Slovenian Cup allowed the club to qualify for the Korać Cup for 1998–99. The big breakthrough came a year later, however, as Krka defeated historical rival Olimpija Ljubljana in the Slovenian playoff finals to win the national title. That year, the team also played the Saporta Cup and reached third place in the Slovenian Cup. In 2000–01, Krka consolidated its strength, but nonetheless fell to Olimpija in the finals. In 2001–02, Krka qualified for the Euroleague in a pre-season tournament and made its mark in a group of superpowers. Though Krka missed the Top 16, it was able to defeat all its opponents once, including names like Real Madrid, Panathinaikos, CSKA Moscow and Skipper Bologna. At home, Krka finished second in the Goodyear league, in the Slovenian Championship and in the national cup, losing all three times to Olimpija Ljubljana. Last season changed that trend, however.

2002–03 season; National champion, Eurocup runner-up

Krka zoomed to the 2003 ULEB Cup double finals, narrowly losing to Pamesa Valencia despite being the only ULEB Cup team to win in Valencia. Krka then flexed its muscles, upsetting Olimpija for its second Slovenian crown.

2003–04 season; Troubles on the horizon

Season started with coach Zoran Martić that resigned after bad results in Euroleague, Petar Skansi came as replacement. Krka finished Euroleague with only two wins, 7th place in Adriatic league was solid achievement, but 7th place in national competition was not. Loss against Helios Domžale in quarterfinals implied drop from Adriatic league.

2004–05 season; Club nearly dead

Season 04/05 was very difficult for Krka fans and supporters since voting about dissolution was held, but luckily failed. New head coach, Predrag Milović was introduced, Krka finished 6th.

2005–06 season; On the bottom

Season 2005–06 was by far the worst. After finished last after 1st part of Slovenian league Krka lost only three times in relegation league, elevating this team to 9th place. Club was under 'rehab' in financial as well in competition terms, new club leadership under Marjan Erpe managed to save the club.

2006–07 season; Slowly climbing up

Krka finished 7th, coming into champion league.

2007–08 season; qualified for ABA

This season Krka finished third in domestic league and replaced Geoplin Slovan in Adriatic League.

2008–09 season

Krka was one of three Slovenian clubs that represented Slovenia in regional ABA league. 11th place was solid achievement for rookie after some years in league. In 1. SKL Krka finished third, after many injuries finished after 2nd Helios and could not compete in regional league.

2009–10 season; National champion, qualified for ABA

Aleksandar Džikić became fist coach of Krka squad in 2009–10 bringing great results to the club. Finished first after 1st part of 1. SKl and 2nd in champions league, brought semi-finals to Krka. Beating 2–1 Helios from Domžale Krka achieved finals after 7 long years. Beating Union Olimpija 3–2 in last game in Tivoli Krka finished very successful becoming Slovenian champion.

2010–11 season; National champion, Eurochallenge champion

Eurochallenge game

Aleksandar Džikić was confirmed to be coach in the 2010–11 season. He got new assistant for help, it was Aleksander Sekulič (confirmed on 21 June). Krka qualified for ABA league and decided to compete in 3rd rank European league called FIBA EuroChallenge. Season started great after winning Slovenian SuperCup beating Olimpija in Maribor. Krka played great and qualified for Adriatic League Final 4, where they lost against Olimpija in the semi finals. They also made it to the EuroChallenge Final 4 where they won club's 1st European trophy, beating domestic Oostende in semifinals and Lokomotiv-Kuban in finals. They finished Slovenian league on 1st place with one loss. In semifinals Krka bet Zlatorog by 2–0. Great season ended on 11 June, after winning Slovenian league, beating Olimpija 3–2. This was the 4th national trophy and second in the row.

2011–12 season; Back to EuroCup, national champions

Krka team 2012

Club is competing in ABA league, Eurocup, Slovenian Cup and Slovenian Telemach League. Coach Aleksandar Džikić was replaced with Nenad Trajković. Club left Dušan Đorđević, Goran Ikonić, Dragiša Drobnjak and Chris Booker. Their replacement were Jaka Klobučar, Curtis Stinson, Marko Đurković, Jimmy Baxter and Jerome Jordan. Club had two players in Slovenian national team. Those were Edo Murić and Zoran Dragić. Club had successfully started a season in October, winning Slovenian Supercup over Olimpija. In November club left Jaka Klobučar and Curtis Stinson. Jaka's wish was playing in foreign country, while Stinson went to surgery (broken ankle). Club bought Allan Ray who was playing only 3 games. After excellent performance against Le Mans he was literal kidnapped by his agents and moved to France. His replacement was Mustafa Abdul-Hamid.

On 1 December, coach Nenad Trajković moved to the Phoenix Suns and it was replaced with his assistant Aleksander Sekulič. Also the club left Jerome Jordan (NBA-out clause), club released Jimmy Baxter (denied FBI documents) and Marko Đurković (bad performance). The 29 December club announced three new players - from Bayern München came Ben Hansbrough, from Radnički Kragujevac came Uroš Lučić, who already played for Krka in the 2009–10 season and Jure Lalić, who came from Cibona Zagreb. In January 2012, club released Mustafa Abdul-Hamid, but after one month he came back to club in February 2012. The club also announced new player on PG position. That became Afik Nissim. Season ended with winning fifth national championship, third in the row. Season will be remembered as there were 23 players in Krka's squad at some point.

2012–13 season; Return to Eurochallenge

Club is competing in ABA league, Slovenian Telemach League, EuroChallenge and Slovenian Cup. After winning national trophy previous season Aleksander Sekulič continued as main coach. New assistant coach became Gašper Potočnik and former Krka player Simon Petrov. Club added Jaka Klobučar, Jakov Vladović and Jurica Golemac and two youngsters, Erjon Kastrati and Tomaž Bolčina. Jure Balažić changed club and went to Turkey while Simon Petrov retired and as mentioned became assistant coach. Team started season with Slovenian Supercup win over Olimpija 84–81 on 25 September, in Grosuplje. On 30 December Matjaž Smodiš and president Brane Kastelec announced his come back to home club. Due bad results, especially defeat in semifinals of national cup against Helios on 11 February, main coach Aleksander Sekulić was released. New head coach became Gašper Potočnik, previously assistant. In March club inked comboguard Jerime Anthony Andersen, that played his first game in national championship against Helios. In national league Krka finished regular part first with only one defeat (9-1). In semifinals won 2-0 team Zlatorog and played finals with Olimpija. Krka led series 2-0 and won 3-1 after winning in Stižice arena. It's forth consecutive title and sixth overall. Last game had huge contribution of Matjaž Smodiš who scored 21 points and successfully ended his career.

2013–14 season; Džikić comeback

On 18 June club signed two year contract with Aleksandar Džikić. First team addition was Jasmin Hukić, signed on June 25. Club added Croatian power forward Zvonko Buljan and Slovenian guard Luka Lapornik on July 12.^[1]

On July 24, the club announced the signing of Derrick Nix to a 3 year contract.^[2] American PG Malcolm Ray Armsteadn joined club on July 30.^[3]

Current roster

KK Krka roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age 1.0 !PG 10 USA ! Armstead, Malcolm Ray  1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) 700124000000000000024 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1989-08-01)August 1, 1989 1.0 !PG 6 SLO ! Rojc, Matej 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 700120000000000000020 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1993-02-17)February 17, 1993 2.0 !SG 24 SLO ! Klobučar, Jaka 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 700126000000000000026 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1987-12-30)December 30, 1987 2.0 !SG 7 SLO ! Bečirović, Sani 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 700132000000000000032 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1981-05-19)May 19, 1981 2.0 !SG 5 SLO ! Kastrati, Erjon 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 700119000000000000019 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1994-12-30)December 30, 1994 2.0 !SG 14 SLO ! Zatežić, Žiga 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 700118000000000000018 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1995-12-20)December 20, 1995 2.5 !G/F 4 SLO ! Lapornik, Luka 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 700125000000000000025 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1988-10-24)October 24, 1988 3.0 !SF 8 SLO ! Murić, Edo 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 700122000000000000022 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1991-11-27)November 27, 1991 3.0 !SF 12 SLO ! Pajić, Marko 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 700121000000000000021 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1992-10-13)October 13, 1992 4.5 !PF 17 CRO ! Buljan, Zvonko 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 700127000000000000027 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1987-02-06)February 6, 1987 4.5 !PF 13 BIH ! Hukić, Jasmin 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 700134000000000000034 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1979-08-15)August 15, 1979 4.5 !PF 11 USA ! Booker, Chris 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 700132000000000000032 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1981-10-24)October 24, 1981 6.0 !C 9 SLO ! Pavič, Smiljan 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 700134000000000000034 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1980-01-01)January 1, 1980 6.0 !C 15 SLO ! Bolčina, Tomaž 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 700120000000000000020 – <span="font-size:140%;">(1994-01-06)January 6, 1994	Head coach Aleksandar Džikić Assistant coach(es) Aleksander Sekulić (assistant coach) Leon Stipaničev (assistant coach) Tomaž Brinec (condition coach) Borut Škedelj (physiotherapist) Legend (C) Team captain Injured Roster Updated: 3 October 2013

Squad Changes for the 2013–14 Season

In:

• Jasmin Hukić (from Petrochimi Bandar Imam BC)
• Luka Lapornik (from KK Zlatorog)
• Zvonko Buljan (from Keravnos)
• Derrick Nix (from Michigan State Spartans)
• Malcolm Ray Armstead (from Wichita State University)
• Chris Booker (from Panionios B.C.)
• Sani Bečirović (from Foolad Mahan Isfahan)

Out:

Depth Chart

Leon Štukelj hall

5th game of Slovenian League 2011, showing Leon Štukelj hall from southeast side

Club's first court was Loka outdoor asphalte court, near river Krka. I 70's club moved to first indoor arena in town, named Marof. It has 1,500 seating capacity. Marof was home court for BC Krka for over 30 years. Club won first national title in 2000 playing in Marof. This arena is still being used as training court and 2009–10 season playoff finals were played in Marof.

Club is currently playing in Sport Hall Leon Štukelj with capacity of 2,800 seats. Hall is located in school center in southwestern part of town. It is Novo mesto+s school centre primarily sport gym and is venue to many sports and events, since it is the largest hall in Novo mesto and Dolenjska.

New arena with 5,000+ seats was planned to be built in 2013 as Novo mesto was one of home cities for EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia but is currently canceled as well as Novo mesto's candidature for EuroBasket.

As Euroleague Basketball (company) set minimum capacity for EuroCup at 3,000 seats and for non-contract Euroleague teams for 5,000 seats, BC Krka is unable to play those competitions at home.

Supporters

Krka have a supporters group, which is called the Kelti Novo Mesto

Seasons

Season	League	Cups	SuperCup	Adriatic	Europe	Coach	Roster
2013–14			Finalist		Eurochallenge	Aleksandar Džikić	Tomaž Bolčina, Marko Pajić, Matej Rojc, Erjon Kastrati, Luka Lapornik, Zvonko Buljan, Derrick Nix
2012–13	Champions	Semifinals	Winners	9th (9-17)	Eurochallenge 3rd in Group A 3/3	Aleksander Sekulič Gašper Potočnik	Jakov Vladović, Matej Rojc, Jaka Klobučar, Erjon Kastrati, Edo Murić, Uroš Lučić, Jurica Golemac, Smiljan Pavič, Jure Lalić, Tomaž Bolčina, Marko Pajić, Domen Lorbek, Žiga Zatežič, Matjaž Smodiš, Jure Ritlop, Jerime Anderson
2011–12	Champions	Finalist	Winners	11th (9-17)	Eurocup TOP16 4th place in group (1/5)	Naser "Nenad" Trajković Aleksander Sekulič	Curtis Stinson, Bojan Krivec, Matej Rojc, Jimmy Baxter, Simon Petrov, Jaka Klobučar, Marko Kastelic, Zoran Dragić, Edo Murić, Jure Balažič, Marko Đurković, Jan Osolnik, Smiljan Pavič, Jerome Jordan, Allan Ray, Domen Bratož, Ben Hansbrough, Jure Lalić, Uroš Lučić, Mustafa Abdul-Hamid, Afik Nissim, Martin Mežan, Žiga Fifolt
2010–11	Champions	1/4 Finals	Winners	3rd place (17-9) Semifinals	Eurochallenge Winners	Aleksandar Džikić	Dušan Đorđević, Bojan Krivec, Matej Rojc, Goran Ikonić, Simon Petrov, Marko Kastelic, Zoran Dragić Dragiša Drobnjak, Edo Murić, Jan Osolnik, Jure Balažič, Chris Booker, Smiljan Pavič
2009–10	Champions	Semifinals	DNC	DNC	DNC	Aleksandar Džikić	Nik Ivanović, Maj Kovačevič, Bojan Krivec, Simon Petrov, Goran Ikonić, Brent Ragsdale, Matej Venta, Miloš Marković, Davor Marcelić, Stanko Sebič, Jure Balažič, Matej Župevec, Uroš Lučić, Uroš Nikolić, Smiljan Pavič
2008–09	3rd place	Semifinals	DNC	11th (9-17)	DNC	Ivan Sunara	Maj Kovačevič, Bojan Krivec, Simon Petrov, Richard Shields, Rene Žvan, Bruce Price, Rolandas Alijevas, Stanko Sebič, Davor Marcelić, J. P. Ingram, Jure Balažič, Matej Župevec, Marko Rakočević, Smiljan Pavič
2007–08	3rd place	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	Rade Mijanović	Vladimir Mihailovič, Maj Kovačevič, T. J. Sorrentine, Rene Žvan, Bojan Krivec, Stanko Sebič, Davor Marcelić, Anže Cerkovnik, Klemen Bučar, Žiga Koritnik, Matej Župevec, Jure Balažič, Vjeran Soldo, Marko Rakočević, Dalibor Đapa
2006–07	6th	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	Predrag Milović	Vladimir Mihailovič, Rene Žvan, Bojan Krivec, Bojan Jovanovič, Stanko Sebič, Ervin Taraniš, Klemen Bučar, Anže Cerkovnik, Igor Jokič, Matej Župevec, Matas Niparavicius, Vjeran Soldo
2005–06	9th	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	Predrag Milović	Bojan Krivec, Ristič, Matej Župevec, Sitar, Rene Žvan, Gorenc, Šmigič, Matej Venta, Stanko Sebič, Gliha, Nejc Smodiš, Taraniš, Anže Cerkovnik, Hočevar, Igor Jokič, Primc, Jure Balažič, Klepo, Jovanovič, Keith
2004–05	6th	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	Predrag Milović	Bojan Krivec, Goran Milanovič, Jaka Klobučar, Klemen Bučar, Matija Frančič, Mitja Sitar, Rene Žvan, Simon Gorenc, Matej Venta, Stanko Sebič, Ervin Taraniš, Anže Cerkovnik, Jure Balažič, Brane Savič, Samo Plevnik, Mihajlo Vukič, Vladimir Anzulovič, Aleksandar Damjanovič, Milan Parezanovič
2003–04	5th	DNC	Finalist	DNC	Euroleague 8th place in group B (2-12)	Petar Skansi	Gardner, Antonijevič, Gilbert, Matej Venta, Subotič, Slavko Duščak, Ivaškovič, Sani Bečirović, Budzinauskas, Grgurevič, Gnjidič, Saša Mučič, Dundovič, Jure Balažič, Rickert, Mihajlovič, Ugrekhelidze, Bošnjak, Márton Báder
2002–03	Champions	DNC	DNE	7th (11-11)	EuroCup Finalist	Neven Spahija	Ivaškovič, Gnjidič, Aleksandar Ćapin, Matej Venta, Vladimir Anzulovič, Mathis, Samo Grum, Paravinja, Jamie Arnold, Slavko Duščak, Dragiša Drobnjak, Saša Mučič, Miloš Mirkovič, Maravič, Márton Báder, Jure Balažič, Stanko Sebič
2001–02	Finalist	Finalist	DNE	Finalist (16-6)	Euroleague 6th place in grup C (7-7)	Aleš Pipan	Vladimir Anzulovič, Jaka Lakovič, Samo Grum, Igor Ivaškovič, Aleksandar Ćapin, Boris Gnjidić, Bennett Davison, Andrej Gliha, Saša Mučič, Kristjan Preglej, Dragiša Drobnjak, Miloš Mirković, Mate Skelin, Nemanja Jelesijević, Marko Šamanić, Martin Mihajlović
2000–01	Finalist	Finalist	DNE	DNE	Suproleague 8th place in Grup B (7-11)	Aleš Pipan	Vladimir Anzulovič, Simon Petrov, Samo Grum, Aleksandar Ćapin, Igor Ivaškovič, Dejan Jevtović, Saša Dončič, Ervin Taraniš, J. P. Courtney, Davison, Andrej Gliha, Nejc Smodiš, Dragiša Drobnjak, Mirko Ščekić, Martin Mihajlović, Franjo Arapović, Miloš Mirković
1999–00	Champions	DNC	DNE	DNE	Saporta Cup Last 16	Ivan Sunara	Dražovič, Dejan Jevtović, Ervin Taraniš, Simon Petrov, Matjaž Smodiš, Viskovič, Samo Grum, Dragiša Drobnjak, Stakič, Samo Majerle, Martin Šcekič, Nakič
1998–99	3rd place	DNC	DNE	DNE	Korač Cup Last 16	Živko Ljubojevič Ivan Sunara	Jevtovič, Samar, Simon Petrov, Matjaž Smodiš, Grum, Nakič, Šcekič, Meluš, Balažic, Taraniš, Eržek, Ivaškovič, Leon Stipaničev, Gliha, Samo Majerle
1997–98	4th	DNC	DNE	DNE	DNC	Živko Ljubojevič	Jevtovič, Samar, Bordelius, Simon Petrov, Matjaž Smodiš, Bajc, Grum, Stipaničev, Plevnik, M. Petrov, Stevič, Jazbec, Dakič, Stakič, Balažic
1996–97	2. (A2) League Champions	DNC	DNE	DNE	DNC	Slavko Seničar Slavko Kovačevič	Bordelius, Samar, Stipaničev, Simon Petrov, M. Petrov, Matjaž Smodiš, Bajc, Vučkovič, Lučev, Novina, Rusič, Jazbec, Oštir
1995–96	2.League (A2) 3rd	DNC	DNE	DNE	DNC	Slavko Seničar	Plantan, Cerkovnik, Munih, Župevec, S. Seničar, Bajc, Kek, Lenart, Červ, Simon Petrov, Oštir, Vučkovič, Novina, Gavranovič, Zupančič, Vipavec, M. Petrov, Lalič, Matjaž Smodiš, Primož Samar, Leon Stipaničev
1994–95	3.League (2 SKL) West Champions	DNC	DNE	DNE	DNC		Plantan, Cerkovnik, Munih, Župevec, S. Seničar, Bajc, Kek, Lenart, Červ, Simon Petrov, Oštir, Vučkovič, Novina, Gavranovič, Zupančič, Vipavec, M. Petrov, Lalič, Matjaž Smodiš
1993–94	3.League (2 SKL) West 6th place	DNC	DNE	DNE	DNC		Simon Petrov
1992–93	4. (ZAHOD I) League Champions	DNC	DNE	DNE	DNC

• DNC = did not compete
• DNE = (tournament) did not exist

Most seasons as of 2013–14 season

Notable players

Notable coaches

Most notable coaches in the recent years were:

• Ivan Sunara
• Neven Spahija
• Petar Skansi
• Aleš Pipan
• Aleksandar Džikić
• Aleksander Sekulić

References

1. ↑ http://www.basket.krka.si/si/novice/?id=2397
2. ↑ https://mobile.twitter.com/bckrka?p=s
3. ↑ http://www.basket.krka.si/si/novice/?id=2408

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BC Krka.

• Official Website basket.krka.si (Slovene)
• Adriatic League Team Profile
• ULEB Eurocup Team Profile
• Eurobasket.com Team Profile
• Team Fan Club Kelti
• Official Facebook page