Dubai Basketball extends Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s contract until 2028

Dubai Basketball extends Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s contract until 2028
Head Coach Jurica Golemac has extended his contract with Dubai Basketball until 2028. (SUPPLIED)
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Updated 16 October 2025
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Dubai Basketball extends Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s contract until 2028

Dubai Basketball extends Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s contract until 2028
  • The Slovenian has been rewarded after a win over reigning EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce and a solid start to the season

DUBAI: Fresh from an emphatic 24-point win against reigning EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce, Dubai Basketball announced on Wednesday that Head Coach Jurica Golemac will have his contract extended to 2028.

The Slovenian coach, who joined Dubai Basketball in 2024, has been a key figure in the club’s rapid rise on the regional and European stage.

Last season, Golemac guided the team through an outstanding campaign, finishing the ABA League Regular Season with a 25–5 record and leading Dubai to the Playoff Semifinals in their debut year in the competition.

This season, Dubai Basketball have continued their strong momentum under Golemac’s leadership.

The team currently hold a 2–2 record in the EuroLeague, with notable victories against Partizan and Fenerbahce, and remain undefeated in the ABA League (2–0) after wins over Split and Borac Cacak.

Golemac has created history by having the first home team representing Dubai to compete in two international leagues, in just two seasons.

“I’m very thankful to the club for the trust and confidence they’ve shown in me,” said Golemac.

“I feel very motivated to keep growing together with Dubai Basketball. We’re building something special here — a team that competes at the highest level and makes our fans proud every single day.”

“This decision was made weeks ago, and we are announcing it today,” said General Manager Dejan Kamenjasevic on Wednesday.

“We want Jurica to continue leading this project. He is the ideal person for our long-term vision — ambitious, professional, and deeply committed to our philosophy. Our goal is to improve every year, and with Jurica we know the project is in the right hands.”

Dubai Basketball face FC Barcelona at the Coca-Cola Arena on Thursday, Oct. 16.


Sabalenka dumps Gauff as semi-final lineup is set for WTA Finals in Riyadh

Sabalenka dumps Gauff as semi-final lineup is set for WTA Finals in Riyadh
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Sabalenka dumps Gauff as semi-final lineup is set for WTA Finals in Riyadh

Sabalenka dumps Gauff as semi-final lineup is set for WTA Finals in Riyadh
  • Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will face 4th seed Amanda Anisimova for a place in the final
  • 5th seed Jessica Pegula will take on 6th seed Elena Rybakina in the other semi

RIYADH: The lineup for the semi-finals of the 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh was decided on Thursday during a thrilling finale to the group stage in which world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka eliminated defending champion Coco Gauff.

There was everything to play for ahead of the third and final round of matches in the Stefanie Graf Group at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, with three of the four players still in contention for a place in the last four.

Fifth seed Jessica Pegula gave herself the best possible chance of advancing by sealing a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory over eighth seed Jasmine Paolini. However, the American’s progression still hinged on the outcome of a blockbuster showdown between top seed Sabalenka and third seed Gauff.

Various permutations were in play regarding which two of the three would qualify, but Gauff knew that anything short of a victory would mean elimination and the end of her title defense.

In the clash of two of the biggest superstars in tennis, Gauff claimed an early lead, but in the end it would be a dramatic tiebreak that decided the opening set, with Sabalenka edging it to put herself on the brink of the semi-finals. She then claimed the second set by a more comfortable 6-2 margin to seal the victory.

Sabalenka, 27, said she was “super happy to get this win in straight sets. I’m staying hungry and staying aggressive in the game. Sometimes I need to throw emotions out just to be able to compete, and I think I’m balancing it pretty well.”

She will now face fellow American, and fourth seed, Amanda Anisimova on Friday. The pair have already faced each other in three huge matches this year, not least their most recent clash in the final of the US Open in September, which Sabalenka won 6-3, 7-6. However, Anisimova leads their career head-to-head record with six wins to Sabalenka’s four.

Gauff made history last year when she won the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, the first ever professional women’s tennis tournament staged in Saudi Arabia. Just 20 years old at the time, she was also the youngest winner in two decades.

After her loss to Sabalenka on Thursday she said: “I had a lot of chances in the first set. It was a bit disappointing not to get that one. She stepped her level up and I just couldn’t find it after that.

“Overall, I think I was playing a high level. Couple points in the tiebreaker, I had on my racket. It was a tough one.”

In the other semi-final, also on Friday, Pegula will face sixth seed Elena Rybakina.