The coach of the Russian national basketball team, David Blatt, has signed a two-year contract extension with Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv, with an option for a further year, Maccabi said Wednesday.
Blatt has coached Russia since 2006, leading the team to the Eurobasket title in 2007, while also pursuing a career as a club coach.
In 2010, he returned to Maccabi, where he was a successful player and won the Euroleague as assistant coach in 2004.
“Maccabi sees Blatt as an integral part of a club and most appropriate to continue to lead the club forward. Over the last two years, Blatt has proved that he has a striking personality and is an unusual and world-class professional,” the club said in a statement on its website.
“No one could be happier than me, this is an emotional moment," Blatt said on the Maccabi website. "Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is dear to my heart and I am happy and proud to continue serving it."
Blatt has twice taken the Tel Aviv team to the Euroleague Final Four, including a 78-70 defeat to Panathinaikos in last year’s final.
Including an earlier spell as Maccabi coach between 2002 and 2004, he has also won three Israeli league titles and four Israeli Cups.
Blatt held talks with the Russian basketball authorities about leaving his post last year, but decided to stay. His contract with Russia runs out after the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
