Šarunas Jasikevičius: Five Consecutive EuroLeague Final Fours and Why People Call It a Failure
Šarunas Jasikevičius, the coach of Fenerbahçe, has just completed the most successful season of his coaching career. He finally achieved what had eluded him “by a hair” in previous seasons — reaching his fifth consecutive EuroLeague Final Four. Yes, you read that right — FIVE consecutive Final Fours! But surprisingly, many do not see this as a success, but rather as a failure. How is that possible?
Five Consecutive Final Fours — A Huge Success or a Tragedy?
For most coaches and sports experts, reaching five consecutive EuroLeague Final Fours is a rare feat and represents the pinnacle of a career. Jasikevičius made history with Žalgiris in 2018 by reaching the Final Four, which was a significant moment in his career and for his hometown.
However, as Jasikevičius himself points out in an interview with Greek media, the public and media often have a different view. “It’s strange. Five consecutive Final Fours is a huge success, but people see it as a failure. That’s the ugly side of sports and media,” said the Lithuanian expert.
What’s the Problem with the Perception of Success?
Jasikevičius explains that coaches see things differently. Sometimes, even if you do the best job, like Barcelona or Toronto did, you don’t win anything. Sometimes, everything falls into place and you win the trophy. But the public and media often don’t consider all the circumstances and efforts.
Jasikevičius and Fenerbahçe — Finally Titles and Challenges
The Fenerbahçe coach has won titles in the EuroLeague and Turkish league during his career, but he emphasized that this season was special because he finally managed to achieve what had previously slipped away. He also openly spoke about the challenges of the transfer window and losses that forced him to switch to “plan C.”
What Does This Mean for Sports and Media?
This situation raises the question of how media and the public evaluate success and failure in sports. Is reaching five consecutive Final Fours a failure? Or is it proof of exceptional consistency and quality? Jasikevičius reminds us that sports are full of unpredictability, and sometimes, despite all efforts, the trophy may not come.
Conclusion
Šarunas Jasikevičius has proven to be one of the best coaches in Europe, with five consecutive EuroLeague Final Four appearances. Yet, media perception and public expectations are often unrealistic and do not take into account the true values and challenges of sports. Maybe it’s time to change how we view success — because five consecutive Final Fours is not a failure, but a masterpiece of consistency and expertise.
What do you think? Does Jasikevičius deserve more praise, or is the public right? Drop a comment and let the debate ignite! Who knows, maybe we’ll all learn something new about sports and life.
