Tornike Shengelia’s tribute to Georgia’s coach, Aleksandar Dzikic
Tornike Shengelia has nothing but praise for his head coach Aleksandar Dzikic. Before the victory against France at EuroBasket, Georgia’s star expressed his admiration for the Serbian coach and his remarkable work with the national team.
A coach who brings intensity and tactical discipline
When asked about Dzikic’s contribution to the Georgian team, Shengelia was very complimentary: « He has brought so many good things. If I had to highlight something, it’s the intensity, the toughness… His mentality is always to fight, fight. He’s never satisfied with anything. And that matches our mentality! He’s excellent, incredible when it comes to tactics. »
The Georgian player particularly emphasized his coach’s tactical expertise: « You can clearly see it. Every time we execute what’s drawn up, we always get something good. Problems arise when we start playing individually or don’t follow the rules. Of course, it’s not easy to do everything perfectly during a game. »
Toko #Shengelia agrees with me that #Georgia HC Aleksandar #Džikić deserves the be coaching at #Euroleague level
Džikić thoroughly outcoached #Spain coach Sergio Scariolo in the #Eurobasket group stage and French coach Frédéric Fauthoux today with a very short rotation #Džile https://t.co/zGScXLHoyq pic.twitter.com/QckaPNybKm
— Darko Dželetović (@DarkoBasketball) September 7, 2025
Recognition beyond borders
Shengelia didn’t hesitate to place Dzikic at the highest European level. « There’s no doubt, top level! If there were multiple levels, he would be at the very top. I’ve said it several times, it’s a shame, and I’ll always be absolutely surprised that he’s not coaching a EuroLeague team. Because if you ask me, and I see it up close, he deserves this opportunity. Absolutely, » concluded the Georgian star.
Despite being limited in the group stage, Shengelia largely contributed (27 efficiency rating) to his team’s success against France (80-70), in what was a historic first official match between the two nations. An opportunity for Dzikic – former coach of Budućnost Podgorica in EuroLeague – to showcase his abilities while his country, Serbia, will likely need to search for a new head coach after their early elimination at EuroBasket 2025.
Who is Aleksandar Džikić, Georgia’s coach?
Starting in Partizan’s youth system in 1991, Aleksandar Džikić worked his way up to the pro bench as an assistant, before a notable NBA stint with Dwane Casey in Minnesota (2005-2007) – one of the first European assistants established in an NBA staff. Back in Europe, he held major positions: coaching Union Olimpija, Lietuvos Rytas, Partizan, and notably Krka Novo Mesto (national titles and EuroChallenge won in 2011). At Budućnost Podgorica, he won the Adriatic League in 2018, earning the Montenegrin team a return to EuroLeague the following season, with Edwin Jackson in his roster. More recently, he led Hapoel Jerusalem to the 2023 Israeli Cup (Coach of the Year) before leaving the club and being appointed Georgia’s head coach on the same day, January 4, 2024.
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