Vovoras appointed as Basketball coach
The Bahrain Basketball Association has confirmed the appointment of Greek coach Georgios Vovoras as head coach of the men's national team, in a move designed to elevate the squad's performance and profile across the region and beyond.
Vovoras, 47, arrives with a deep résumé shaped by years of experience at the top levels of European basketball. His appointment signals Bahrain's intent to instill a more refined and competitive edge to its national team setup.
Experience Across Europe and Beyond
Vovoras is best known for his association with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos, where he has held both head coach and assistant roles over several seasons. His coaching journey also includes stints at DEAC (Hungary), APOEL (Cyprus), and most recently Neptunas Klaipeda in Lithuania, where he guided the team through domestic and continental campaigns.
In addition to his European experience, Vovoras has worked closely with NBA franchises, featuring on summer league coaching staffs with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017. These roles have expanded his tactical toolkit and given him valuable exposure to evolving international styles of play.
Promising Track Record
Among Vovoras' notable achievements are Greek League and Cup titles with Panathinaikos as assistant coach, multiple EuroLeague quarter-final appearances, and leading APOEL to the Cypriot Cup final in 2016 as head coach. His ability to adapt to different environments and deliver results in both top-tier and emerging basketball contexts makes him a compelling choice for Bahrain's ambitions.
The hiring reflects a broader vision within Bahraini basketball: to build a team capable not only of competing regionally but also of leaving a mark on larger stages such as the FIBA Asia Cup and World Cup qualifiers.
Preparing for the Next Phase
Vovoras is expected to begin his duties shortly after arriving in Bahrain. His first task will be to lead the national team's upcoming training camps and preparation matches, with a focus on strengthening fundamentals and embedding a coherent, high-level tactical identity.
With Vavoras' international pedigree and practical adaptability, he represents a calculated and forward-thinking choice. Bahrain will hope his presence on the sidelines translates into consistent performances and, in time, tangible success.
As the national team embarks on this new chapter, expectations are cautiously optimistic. The challenge now is turning Vovoras' extensive experience into results on the court.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Gears Up for Jones Cup and Arab Championship
TDT | Manama National basketball team sets sights on two key summer tournaments Twin Tournaments on the Horizon Bahrain's senior men's basketball team is preparing for an important summer schedule, with confirmed participation in two major tournaments under the guidance of Greek head coach Georgios Vovoras and his technical staff. First up is the William Jones Cup, to be held in Chinese Taipei from 12 to 20 July 2025. Immediately afterward, the team will head to Tunisia to compete in the Arab Basketball Championship, scheduled from 25 July to 3 August. Strategic Exposure for 'Al Ahmar Al Salawi' These back-to-back competitions are part of a broader plan by the Bahrain Basketball Association to raise the national team's competitive standards. By facing teams from diverse basketball traditions, Bahrain aims to gain valuable experience and build tactical depth. The dual events are also seen as key preparatory steps for the 18th Gulf Men's National Teams Championship, set to be held in Doha in 2026. Long-Term Vision The federation views the tournaments not just as isolated competitions, but as opportunities to build team chemistry, refine tactical execution, and strengthen the squad's resilience on the international stage. As the summer unfolds, all eyes will be on 'Al Ahmar Al Salawi' to deliver positive results and continue building momentum in regional and global basketball circles.
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Frank leaves Brentford for Spurs
Thomas Frank said yesterday he had 'left a big piece of my heart' at Brentford after taking on the daunting task of reviving Tottenham's Premier League fortunes. Spurs announced the Dane as their new head coach on a three-year deal on Thursday, as a replacement for the sacked Ange Postecoglou. Frank, 51, won 136 of his 317 matches across a seven-year spell at Brentford, taking them into the Premier League in 2021. In an emotional message posted on Brentford's website Frank said: 'The time has come for me to move on. But, even as I leave, I know I have left a big piece of my heart at Brentford, not just at the football club but with the community and, of course, the incredible and loyal supporters. 'I want to extend my profound gratitude to the club for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams and for everyone involved who made the journey such a memorable one.' He said it had been a privilege to be allowed to be part of such a 'special community'. 'Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved together, and our success is built on unity, spirit, courage and ambition at every level of the club and amongst the fans,' he said. 'Everybody has contributed, and every contribution has been invaluable. I am not just leaving a football club, I am saying goodbye to friends whose support through good and bad times I will carry with me always.' Frank, who becomes Tottenham's fourth permanent boss since 2021, is tasked with lifting the club back among the Premier League's elite. Spurs will play in the Champions League next season thanks to their Europa League success in Bilbao, where they beat Manchester United 1-0 in the final. Their first European trophy for 41 years delivered on Postecoglou's boast that he always wins silverware in his second season. However, the Australian paid the price for a miserable Premier League season in which Tottenham finished 17th after losing 22 of their 38 games. Tottenham finished seven places and 18 points below Frank's Brentford.
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Club World Cup marks ‘new era' for football: Infantino
AFP | Miami FIFA president Gianni Infantino says the Club World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday, marks a historic 'new era' for the game, comparing it to the first World Cup held in 1930. In an interview with AFP, Infantino also took aim at critics of FIFA's ticketing policy and said that skeptics who had questioned the need for the tournament would quickly change their minds. The 32-team competition, with clubs from all continents, gets under way with Inter Miami facing Egyptian club Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. 'It starts a new era of football, a new era of club football. A little bit like when, in 1930, the first World Cup, right, started,' Infantino told AFP. 'Everyone today speaks about the very first World Cup. That's why it's also, this World Cup here is historic.' The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 and Infantino noted that only European and South American teams took part, adding that the Club World Cup would give a chance to clubs from outside of football's traditional heartlands to play on the global stage. 'We want to be inclusive. We want to give opportunities to clubs from all over the world,' he said. 'It's really to globalise football, to make it truly, truly global. Because when you scratch the surface, we say it's the number one sport in the world, and it is but then the elite is very concentrated in very few clubs, in very few countries,' he said. The Swiss official, who was general secretary of European body UEFA before taking the helm at FIFA in 2016, said that the club tournament also offered chances to players from over 80 countries. 'Countries who would never have a chance to play in a World Cup are suddenly part of a World Cup and they feel to be part of it, the fans of these players and of these clubs,' added Infantino, who noted several great players of the past who never played in a World Cup, 'A very good friend of mine is George legend, great player, Ballon d'Or winner, only African player who ever won the Ballon d'Or, by the way. He never played in a World Cup. He would have been playing in a Club World Cup and made not only his club and also his country proud,' he added. 'Something special' Infantino dismissed concerns that the tournament added to fixture congestion but acknowledged that some fans were yet to be sure of the value of the tournament, saying though that would quickly change. 'I believe, I'm convinced that, you know, as soon as the ball starts rolling, the whole world will realise what is happening here. It's something special,' he said. Reports of low uptake of tickets for same games has led to criticism of FIFA's ticketing policy with 'dynamic pricing', increasingly common in the United States, allowing for prices to rise and fall according to demand. But Infantino defended the approach and the decision to offer heavy discounts to students in Miami. 'I'm a positive person generally, but they criticise FIFA if the prices are too high, then they criticise FIFA if the prices are too low. 'Then they criticise FIFA if we make ticketing promotions with students. Students! I mean, when I was a student and I didn't have money, I would have loved FIFA to come to me and say, you want to come and watch a World Cup match?' 'We don't want to see empty stadiums. I believe the stadiums will be pretty full,' he said. The FIFA president said that the tournament, which secured a global broadcasting deal with DAZN reported to be worth $1 billion, was already an economic success and stressed that all the money generated from commercial deals would be ploughed back into the game. Asked how he would judge whether the tournament had been a success, Infantino said he would feel it in his 'heart' but said he was confident. 'In terms of inclusivity, in terms of economy, in terms of fan interest, you take all of these criteria, we'll speak again at the end of the club World Cup, but already now, I (feel positive), when I look at the number of tickets sold, and I look at the TV rights,' he said, noting that the games were available on DAZN's streams for free. 'Tell me one top competition today, where you can watch football for free?' he asked. The Club World Cup has also been caught up in the US's fierce debates over immigration control with games being held near Los Angeles, scenes of violent clashes between protestors and immigration officers. 'Security for me and for us is a top priority, always. So when something is happening, like in Los Angeles we are obviously monitoring the situation, we are in constant contact with the authorities, we want fans to go in games in a safe environment,' he said.
