Int'l Basketball: Gershon appointed as Bulgaria coach

"I didn't take the job for the money. I always look for new challenges and this isn't going to be an easy challenge."

By ALLON SINAI
pini gershon 248.88 (photo credit: Channel 10)
pini gershon 248.88
(photo credit: Channel 10)
Pini Gershon was introduced as the Bulgaria national team coach in Athens on Sunday. The 56-year-old Israeli, who coaches Greek club Olympiacos, will try and lead the Bulgarians back to the EuroBakset tournament after a disappointing qualifying campaign for this summer's championships. Bulgaria finished bottom of its qualifying group behind Poland, Sweden and Ukraine and ended the additional qualifying tournament in second position. "I didn't take the job for the money," Gershon said at a press conference on Sunday. "I always look for new challenges and this isn't going to be an easy challenge. The Bulgarian Basketball Federation showed me how much they wanted me by coming to Athens twice especially to see me and I appreciate that." Gershon, who led Olympiacos to the final of the Greek playoff last season, is Israel's most successful coach, leading Maccabi Tel Aviv to Euroleague title wins in 2004 and 2005 and to a Superleague triumph in 2001.