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KK Zadar

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Zadar
Zadar logo
LeaguesABA League
Croatian League
Founded1945; 75 years ago
HistoryKK Zadar
(1945–present)
ArenaKrešimir Ćosić Hall
Capacity8,500[1]
LocationZadar, Croatia
Team colorsWhite and blue
   
PresidentRok Stipčević
General managerVana Dundov (acting)
Head coachDanijel Jusup
Championships6 Yugoslav Championships
1 Yugoslav Cup
5 Croatian Championships
9 Croatian Cups
1 Adriatic League
Websitewww.kkzadar.hr

Košarkaški klub Zadar (English: Zadar Basketball Club), commonly referred to as KK Zadar or simply Zadar, is a men's professional basketball club based in Zadar, Croatia. The club is a founding member and shareholder of the Adriatic Basketball Association,[2] and competes in the ABA League and the Croatian League.

Zadar is the place where Croatian basketball was born in 1930. Zadar's reputation has been of a basketball hotbed with a team that can capture trophies at any given moment. Zadar is also known for its fanatical die hard supporters, Tornado Zadar.

History

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Early years

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The first basketball ball and game rules of basketball were brought to Zadar by Italian soldiers during World War II. At that time all basketball games being played in Zadar were played on an outdoor, concrete court. KK Zadar was formally founded after World War II in 1945 as FD Zadar (Fiskulturno Društvo Zadar – Physical Culture Club of Zadar). Shortly after this club's founding, its basketball section went independent and became what is today's KK Zadar. Giuseppe "Pino" Giergia played his first game for Zadar in 1945; he later became one of the club's most famous players.

The 1949, KK Zadar entered Yugoslavia's first basketball division, remaining there until the country's break-up in 1990.

1960–1970

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On November 28, 1964, Krešimir Ćosić played his first game for Zadar, while being only 16 years old.

In 1965 KK Zadar won a Yugoslav League national championship. They again became champions in 1967 and 1968. In that championship year, Kreso Cosic often knew to score even a 60 points per game. The club's new arena, Jazine, was built in 1968 in only 70 days. Also in 1966, Zadar played in the Euroleague final four; they were beaten in the semi-finals and ended the tournament in third place. In 1969 Krešo Ćosić left for the United States to play college basketball at Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1973.

1970–1980

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In 1973, Zadar was almost relegated from the Yugoslav First Federal Basketball League. In this time of crisis, Krešo Ćosić returned to the club and with 36-year-old Giuseppe "Pino" Giergia Zadar once again became Yugoslav Champions, only to repeat this success two years later.

In 1976 Giuseppe Pino Giergia retired and Krešo Ćosić left the club to fulfill his obligations toward the Yugoslav Army (At this time, conscription was mandatory). During that time club was in a very difficult situation and once again were close to relegation. The club was once again saved by Krešo Ćosić who, after his military service, became the coach of Bresto in Italy. While he was the coach of Bresto he played basketball games for KK Zadar and once again saved the club from relegation.

1980–1990

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In the 1981–82 season another legendary Zadar play made his debut: Stojko Vranković. During that season club has made it to the semifinals of FIBA Korać Cup. They repeated this success the very next season. In 1986 another milestone for the club was achieved: the club got its first world record holder, Zdenko Babić, who has scored 144 points against Apoel from Cyprus in the FIBA Korać Cup.

Arijan Komazec made his debut for Zadar in 1986, and he, along with Stojko Vranković, would play a crucial role in the years to follow. After 11 years of waiting, Zadar won its sixth national championship in 1986. In the finals of that year, KK Zadar met Cibona, and in a historic and legendary match, Zadar beat Cibona by 111:110. They won the game after two overtimes and thanks to an excellent performance by Petar Popović who scored 35 points. In 1987 the club won fourth place in the FIBA European Champions Cup. In 1989 Krešo Ćosić and Giuseppe "Pino" Giergia took charge of the club.

1990–2000

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Krešo Ćosić left the club in August 1990 because of a disagreement with the club leadership. Ćosić would never return to the club, and was soon diagnosed with cancer. He died shortly after, in 1995. In the first, newly founded, Croatian national championship, in the 1991–92 season, the club has played in the finals. That year club has also played in the Euroleague. They were the finalist of the national cup in the 1992–93 season.

In years to come the club began to stagnate in the national championship and in the European competitions. In 1996 with a new coach at the helm, Danijel Jusup, Zadar reached the playoffs of the national championship, where they lost to Cibona. They repeated this success the following year with Emilio Kovačić as Zadar's key player, yet Cibona won the title once again.

In 1998 Zadar won the Krešimir Ćosić Cup, Croatia's basketball cup competitions. Marko Popović, the son of Petar Popović made his debut in 1998 for Zadar at age 16. In the summer of the 1999 Arijan Komazec returned to Zadar from Olympiacos, and the club had also signed Dino Rađa from Panathinaikos. In the season 1999–2000 Zadar had won its 2nd Krešimir Ćosić cup and had played, once again, in the semifinals of national championship and Saporta cup. Dino Rađa and Arijan Komazec proved as crucial players for the success in that season.

2000–present

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In the seasons of 2000–01, 2001–02 Zadar played in the playoffs of national championship twice and once in Krešimir Ćosić Cup, yet they did not win any of the possible three titles. In the season of 2002–03 Danijel Jusup returned to the club as head coach. During that season, with Marko Popović as a lead player, Zadar won its third Krešimir Ćosić Cup, as well as the newly established regional ABA League, founded on the ashes of the Yugoslav league and containing the best teams from the former Yugoslav republics. Zadar beat Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final.

In the summer of 2003, Marko Popović left Zadar as Emilo Kovačić returned. Going into the ULEB Cup for a third season in 2004–05, Zadar once again missed the playoffs by a single win. In the season of 2004–05 Zadar finally won the Croatian national championship, after a 19-year wait. That season Zadar has also won their fourth Krešimir Ćosić Cup in a truly historical season. In 2006, they repeated their success from previous season in the Krešimir Ćosić Cup winning their fifth cup. Zadar returned to the national league final in each of the last two seasons, but KK Cibona stood on its way to another league title.

In 2008, Zadar became the Croatian champion for the second time, beating KK Split 3–2 in the best of five series. The final game of the series, which Zadar won 89 to 65, was the last game ever played at Jazine, affectionately called "The Temple of Croatian Basketball" by many fans and basketball aficionados.

Then after a long wait, season 2019/2020. Zadar won the Croatian Cup and was on its way to winning the Croatian Championship when the season was canceled due to COVID-19. The following year Zadar won yet another cup beating Split and finally won the championship again, again beating Split.

Domestic league and cup winning rosters

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Honours

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Total titles: 22

Domestic competitions

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Winners (5): 2004–05, 2007–08, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023-24
Runners-up (11): 1991–92, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–00, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2012–13
Winners (9): 1997–98, 1999–00, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2023-24
Runners-up (7): 1992–93, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2010–11, 2014–15, 2015–16
Winners (6): 1965, 1967, 1967–68, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1985–86
Winners (1): 1969–70

European competitions

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Semifinalists (2): 1967–68, 1974–75
4th place (1): 1986–87
Semifinalists (1): 1999–00
Semifinalists (3): 1981–82, 1982–83, 1988–89

Regional competitions

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Winners (1): 2002–03

Other competitions

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4th place (1): 1999

Top performances in European & worldwide competitions

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Main article: KK Zadar in European and worldwide competitions
Season Achievement Notes
EuroLeague
1965–66 Quarter-finals 4th place in a group with CSKA Moscow, AEK and CSKA Cherveno zname
1967–68 Semi-finals eliminated by Real Madrid, 62-76 (L) in Madrid and 65-68 (L) in Zadar
1968–69 Quarter-finals 3rd place in a group with Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow and Academic
1974–75 Semi-finals eliminated by Real Madrid, 82-109 (L) in Madrid and 117-130 (L) in Zadar
1975–76 Quarter-finals 6th place in a group with Mobilgirgi Varese, ASVEL, Maes Pils, Academic & Turun NMKY
1986–87 Semi-final group stage 4th place in a group with Tracer Milano, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Orthez, Žalgiris & Real Madrid
FIBA Saporta Cup
1970–71 Quarter-finals eliminated by Spartak Leningrad, 59-63 (L) in Zadar and 78-98 (L) in Leningrad
1979–80 Quarter-finals 3rd place in a group with Emerson Varese, FC Barcelona and Eczacıbaşı
1993–94 Quarter-finals 5th place in a group with Pitch Cholet, Sato Aris, Hapoel Galil Elyon, Overense Aerosoles & Levski Sofia
1999–00 Semi-finals eliminated by AEK, 75-70 (W) in Zadar and 67-82 (L) in Athens
FIBA Korać Cup
1981–82 Semi-finals eliminated by Limoges CSP, 92-84 (W) in Zadar and 78-99 (L) in Limoges
1982–83 Semi-finals eliminated by Šibenka, 78-70 (W) in Zadar and 69-89 (L) in Šibenik
1988–89 Semi-finals eliminated by Partizan, 63-75 (L) in Belgrade and 84-88 (L) in Zadar
1990–91 Quarter-finals eliminated by Mulhouse, 84-84 (D) in Zadar and 67-80 (L) in Mulhouse
1991–92 Quarter-finals eliminated by Fórum Filatélico Valladolid, 80-95 (L) in Trieste and 91-83 (W) in Valladolid[5]
EuroCup
2002–03 Quarter-finals eliminated by Pamesa Valencia, 84-105 (L) in Valencia and 93-80 (W) in Zadar
2008–09 Quarter-finals eliminated by Iurbentia Bilbao, 67–76 in Torino
Adriatic League
2002–03 Champions defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv, 91–88 in the final of the Adriatic League in Ljubljana

Season by season

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In Yugoslavia

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Season Yugoslav First League Pos (Pos)[note 1] Yugoslav Cup tier European competition
1945 1946 Yugoslav League DNP — — —
1946 1946 Yugoslav League Runners-up
1947 1947 Yugoslav League Runners-up
1948 1948 Yugoslav League DNP
1949 1949 Yugoslav League DNP
1950 1950 Yugoslav League 7th
1951 1952 Yugoslav League 4th
1952 1951 Yugoslav League 3rd
1953 1953 Yugoslav League DNP
1954 1954 Yugoslav League DNP
1955 1955 Yugoslav League DNP
1956 1956 Yugoslav League DNP
1957 1957 Yugoslav League DNP
1958 1958 Yugoslav League 4th DNP
1959 1959 Yugoslav League 5th ? DNP
1960 1960 Yugoslav League 3rd ? DNP
1961 1961 Yugoslav League 4th — DNP
1962 1962 Yugoslav League 3rd ? DNP
1963 1963 Yugoslav League 5th — DNP
1964 1964 Yugoslav League Runners-up DNP
1965 1965 Yugoslav League Champions DNP
1966 1966 Yugoslav League 3rd 1 European Champions Cup QF
1967 1967 Yugoslav League Champions DNP
1967–68 1967–68 Yugoslav League Champions 1 European Champions Cup SF
1968–69 1968–69 Yugoslav League 4th ? 1 European Champions Cup QF
1969–70 1969–70 Yugoslav League 6th Champions DNP
1970–71 1970–71 Yugoslav League 7th ? 2 European Cup Winners' Cup QF
1971–72 1971–72 Yugoslav League 10th ? DNP
1972–73 1972–73 Yugoslav League 9th ? DNP
1973–74 1973–74 Yugoslav League Champions ? DNP
1974–75 1974–75 Yugoslav League Champions ? 1 European Champions Cup SF
1975–76 1975–76 Yugoslav League 8th ? 1 European Champions Cup QF
1976–77 1976–77 Yugoslav League 11th ? DNP
1977–78 1977–78 Yugoslav League 6th ? DNP
1978–79 1978–79 Yugoslav League 10th Runners-up DNP
1979–80 1979–80 Yugoslav League 6th ? 2 European Cup Winners' Cup QF
1980–81 1980–81 Yugoslav League 3rd ? 3 Korać Cup T16
1981–82 1981–82 Yugoslav League Semifinalists 4th ? 3 Korać Cup SF
1982–83 1982–83 Yugoslav League 6th 6th ? 3 Korać Cup SF
1983–84 1983–84 Yugoslav League Semifinalists 3rd ? 3 Korać Cup T16
1984–85 1984–85 Yugoslav League Semifinalists 3rd ? 3 Korać Cup 2R
1985–86 1985–86 Yugoslav League Champions 2nd ? 3 Korać Cup T16
1986–87 1986–87 Yugoslav League Quarterfinalists 7th ? 1 European Champions Cup SF
1987–88 1987–88 Yugoslav League Quarterfinalists 5th ? DNP
1988–89 1988–89 Yugoslav League 5th 5th ? 3 Korać Cup SF
1989–90 1989–90 Yugoslav League Semifinalists 3rd ? 3 Korać Cup T16
1990–91 1990–91 Yugoslav League Semifinalists 4th ? 3 Korać Cup QF

In Croatia

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Season Croatian League Pos(Pos) Croatian Cup Adriatic League tier European competitions
1992 1992 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) 4th place — 3 Korać Cup QF
1992–93 1992–93 Croatian League Quarterfinalists (4th) Runners-up 1 European League T16
1993–94 1993–94 Croatian League 8th place (5th) 4th place 2 European Cup T12
1994–95 1994–95 Croatian League Quarterfnals (6th) Last 16
1995–96 1995–96 Croatian League DNQ (9th) 4th place
1996–97 1996–97 Croatian League Quarterfinals (4th) Last 16 2 EuroCup 3R
1997–98 1997–98 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Champions 3 Korać Cup 2R
1998–99 1998–99 Croatian League Runners-up (1st) Semifinalists 1 EuroLeague 2R
1999–2000 1999–2000 Croatian League Runners-up (1st) Champions 2 Saporta Cup SF
2000–01 2000–01 Croatian League Semifinalists (4th) Runners-up 1 EuroLeague RS
2001–02 2002–03 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Runners-up 7th 1 EuroLeague RS
2002–03 2002–03 Croatian League Semifinalists (3rd) Champions Champions 2 ULEB Cup QF
2003–04 2003–04 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Runners-up 8th 2 ULEB Cup RS
2004–05 2004–05 Croatian League Champions (1st) Champions Quarterfinalists 2 ULEB Cup RS
2005–06 2005–06 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Champions Quarterfinalists 3 EuroCup T16
2006–07 2006–07 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Champions 7th
2007–08 2007–08 Croatian League Champions (1st) Semifinalists Semifinalists 2 ULEB Cup T16
2008–09 2008–09 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Semifinalists 5th 2 EuroCup QF
2009–10 2009–10 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Semifinalists 8th 2 EuroCup RS
2010–11 2010–11 Croatian League Semifinalists (2nd) Runners-up 14th 3 EuroChallenge T16
2011–12 2011–12 Croatian League Semifinalists (4th) Semifinalists
2012–13 2012–13 Croatian League Runners-up (2nd) Semifinalists 12th
2013–14 2013–14 Croatian League Semifinalists (3rd) Semifinalists 13th
2014–15 2014–15 Croatian League Semifinalists (3rd) Runners-up 8th
2015–16 2015–16 Croatian League Semifinalists (3rd) Runners-up 6th
2016–17 2016–17 Croatian League Quarterfinalists (5th) Semifinalists 12th
2017–18 2017–18 Croatian League Semifinalists (2nd) Semifinalists 6th
2018–19 2018–19 Croatian League Semifinalists (1st) Semifinalists 11th
2019–20 2019–20 Croatian League cancelled Champions cancelled
2020–21 2020–21 Croatian League Champions (1st) Champions 10th
2021–22 2021–22 Croatian League Runners-up (3rd) Semifinalists 12th
2022–23 2022–23 Croatian League Champions (2nd) Quarterfinalists Quarterfinalists
2023–24 2023–24 Croatian League Champions (1st) Champions Quarterfinalists

Home courts

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Krešimir Ćosić Hall
Court Capacity Period
Jazine Basketball Hall
 3,000 1968–2008[6]
Krešimir Ćosić Hall
 8,500[1]
2008–present

Players

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See also: Category:KK Zadar players

Current roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

KK Zadar roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Age
G 1 Montenegro Mihailović, Vladimir 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 34 – (1990-08-10)10 August 1990
SG 3 Croatia Kos, Marat 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) 18 – (2006-06-25)25 June 2006
PG 4 Croatia Kalajžić, Mate 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) 26 – (1998-03-15)15 March 1998
F 5 United States Wahl, Tyler 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 23 – (2001-03-07)7 March 2001
F 6 Croatia Klarica, Krševan 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 21 – (2003-11-10)10 November 2003
G/F 7 Bosnia and Herzegovina Gegić, Amar 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) 26 – (1998-02-14)14 February 1998
PF 8 Croatia Proleta, Domagoj 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in) 26 – (1998-03-20)20 March 1998
PF 9 Croatia Žganec, Karlo 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 29 – (1995-07-25)25 July 1995
F 14 Croatia Mazalin, Lovro 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) 27 – (1997-06-27)27 June 1997
F 25 Croatia Dundović, Manuel 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 19 – (2005-10-25)25 October 2005
SF 46 Croatia Ramljak, Marko 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 31 – (1993-03-14)14 March 1993
F 88 Australia Gilbert, Dominic 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 28 – (1996-02-28)28 February 1996
G 99 Croatia Torbarina, Toni 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 18 – (2006-09-19)19 September 2006
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Strength & conditioning coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: September 21, 2024

Depth chart

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Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
C Karlo Žganec Domagoj Proleta
PF Lovro Mazalin Tyler Wahl
SF Amar Gegić Dominic Gilbert Manuel Dundović
SG Marko Ramljak Krševan Klarica Marat Kos
PG Vladimir Mihailović Mate Kalajžić Toni Torbarina

Notable players

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Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s


1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s

Head coaches

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See also: Category:KK Zadar coaches

Members of the Basketball Hall of Fame

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Notes

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  1. ^ Playoffs were not organized until the 1981–82 season

References

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  1. ^ a b "Višenamjenska dvorana Krešimira Ćosića" [Multi-purpose hall Krešimir Ćosić]. visnjik.com (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Company registration info: ABA LIGA j.t.d." aba-liga.com. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  3. ^ Prilozi arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr [dead link‍]
  4. ^ Prilozi arhiv.slobodnadalmacija.hr [dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Korac 1992: El Forum de Sabonis roza la gloria". Solobasket. 2 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Dvorana Jazine". kkzadar.net (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Ferit Zekolli". 31 December 2021.
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