The Korensliiga club in Joensuu has been led by Virtanen since summer 2020. This season has been challenging for the team.
The Joensuu Korisliiga club Kataja Basket’s head coach continues Petri “Pete” Virtanen.
The club, led by Virtanen, has been playing since the summer of 2020. Virtanen will also continue as head coach for the next two seasons.
The first head coach seasons have not been easy in the Basketball League.
Last season, Kataja Basket made it to the playoffs. The opportunities for the same still exist today, although this season in particular has been a time of challenge.
– So far, the season has been disappointing, says Petri Virtanen.
It ended in the very first trainings Joona Tuomalan season, and immediately after that were left out Chris McKnight and Mikael Laihonenreports Kataja Basket.
The misfortune towards the players continued when key players for example Niko Mattila have played only 16 matches of the team’s season in 28 matches
– We have had to make a terrible number of compromises in terms of training, head coach Virtanen regrets.
Plans for next season as well
Despite the local player shortage and the challenges it brings, a place in the playoffs is still possible.
Kataja has four more matches to play in the lower end series. Two of the matches are against home games, Lahti and Bisons. The two, in turn, are played as guests against Korihait and BC Nokia.
Although there is still work to be done this season, Petri Virtanen is already looking at the upcoming season.
– We will make clear changes, especially to the team’s profile. The intention is also to rejuvenate the group significantly, he reveals from next season.
The contract for today’s players for next season have so far been made Tomi Lommi and Joona Tuomala.
In the summer, a new conquest of territory awaits Virta. The head coach positions also begin at the youth national team level as the 20-year-old men begin training and games in his coaching.