Zvi Sherf
Encyclopedia
Zvi Sherf known almost universally by his nickname Zvika , is an Israel
i basketball
coach
and former player. He is currently the coach of the Spartak St. Petersburg of the Russian Super League
.
Sherf played for the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, starting at age 12. By age 16, Sherf was playing for Maccabi South Tel Aviv (the club's second side), and was sent to a coaching course, along with fellow future basketball coach Pini Gershon
. By age 20, Sherf was coaching the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, and by age 25 was coaching Maccabi South Tel Aviv, leading it to his first championship.
In the 1980/81 season—where Maccabi Tel Aviv won the European Championship
, the Israeli League
and the Israeli State Cup
-- Sherf was an assistant coach to Rudi d'Amico. Sherf became Maccabi Tel Aviv's head coach in 1983/84, staying through to the 1985/86 season (inclusive). In 1984 (at the age of 33), he became the Israeli national basketball team
coach. His first national coaching tenure (which lasted three years) saw two Eurobasket
appearances (1985
, 1987
) and Israel
's historic 7th placing at the 1986 FIBA World Basketball Championship
. Sherf's tenure as national coach ended after what was perceived as a poor performance at EuroBasket 1987
(11th position), but Sherf later returned as coach for the years 1991-97. In 2005, Sherf was again appointed coach of the Israeli national basketball team
, and on January 1, 2008, was appointed head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Sherf's coaching career includes a Saporta Cup
victory with Aris BC Thessaloniki
(1992/93), and two Euroleague
finals, 10 Israeli League Championships
and six Israeli State Cups
(all with Maccabi Tel Aviv).
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
and former player. He is currently the coach of the Spartak St. Petersburg of the Russian Super League
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
.
Sherf played for the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, starting at age 12. By age 16, Sherf was playing for Maccabi South Tel Aviv (the club's second side), and was sent to a coaching course, along with fellow future basketball coach Pini Gershon
Pinhas Gershon
Pinhas "Pini" Gershon , is an Israeli basketball coach, who won 3 European Champions Cup as a head coach for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was also the coach of the Bulgarian national team.-Personal details:He grew up and studied in the city Tel Aviv...
. By age 20, Sherf was coaching the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, and by age 25 was coaching Maccabi South Tel Aviv, leading it to his first championship.
In the 1980/81 season—where Maccabi Tel Aviv won the European Championship
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
, the Israeli League
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
and the Israeli State Cup
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
-- Sherf was an assistant coach to Rudi d'Amico. Sherf became Maccabi Tel Aviv's head coach in 1983/84, staying through to the 1985/86 season (inclusive). In 1984 (at the age of 33), he became the Israeli national basketball team
Israel national basketball team
The Israeli national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Israel in international competition.The Israeli team has participated 25 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in Eurobasket 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977...
coach. His first national coaching tenure (which lasted three years) saw two Eurobasket
Eurobasket
The EuroBasket, also referred to as the FIBA European Basketball Championship, is the main basketball competition contested biennially by the men's national teams governed by FIBA Europe, the European zone within the International Basketball Federation. The championship was first held in 1935 and...
appearances (1985
EuroBasket 1985
-Venues:-Group A - Karlsruhe :-Group A - Leverkusen :-Places 9 - 12 in Stuttgart:-1/4 finals :-Places 5 - 8 in Stuttgart:-Places 1 - 4 in Stuttgart:-Finals in Stuttgart:-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # # # # #...
, 1987
Eurobasket 1987
The EuroBasket 1987 was held in Greece between June 3 and June 14, 1987. Twelve national teams entered the event under the auspices of FIBA Europe, the sport's regional governing body...
) and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
's historic 7th placing at the 1986 FIBA World Basketball Championship
1986 FIBA World Championship
The 1986 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Spain from July 5 to 19 1986.The Final phase of the tournament was held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid...
. Sherf's tenure as national coach ended after what was perceived as a poor performance at EuroBasket 1987
Eurobasket 1987
The EuroBasket 1987 was held in Greece between June 3 and June 14, 1987. Twelve national teams entered the event under the auspices of FIBA Europe, the sport's regional governing body...
(11th position), but Sherf later returned as coach for the years 1991-97. In 2005, Sherf was again appointed coach of the Israeli national basketball team
Israel national basketball team
The Israeli national basketball team is the basketball team that represents Israel in international competition.The Israeli team has participated 25 times in the European championship tournament. Their best achievements were a silver medal in Eurobasket 1979, and 5th place in 1953 and 1977...
, and on January 1, 2008, was appointed head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Sherf's coaching career includes a Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
victory with Aris BC Thessaloniki
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
(1992/93), and two Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
finals, 10 Israeli League Championships
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
and six Israeli State Cups
Israeli Basketball State Cup
The Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
(all with Maccabi Tel Aviv).
Coaching History
| Season(s) | Club | |
|---|---|---|
| 1976/77, 1977/78 | Maccabi Darom Tel Aviv |  Israel |
| 1978/79, 1979/80 | Betar Jerusalem | Israel |
| 1981/82, 1982/83 | Hapoel Ramat Gan Hapoel Ramat Gan B.C. Hapoel Ramat Gan was an Israeli basketball club which played in the major League in the past and was for many years one of the top teams. For 6 years also was Vice Champion State basketball. Remembered mainly for victories over the many time Champion Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. The group were dismantled... |
Israel |
| 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 1987/88 | Maccabi Elitzur Netanya | Israel |
| 1988/89 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 1989/90 | Maccabi Rishon LeZion Maccabi Rishon LeZion (basketball) Maccabi Rishon LeZion is a basketball club based in Rishon LeZion in central Israel. The club plays in Ligat HaAl, the top division of Israeli basketball.-History:... |
Israel |
| 1990/91, 1991/92 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 1992/93 | Hapoel Jerusalem | Israel |
| 1992/93* | Aris BC Thessaloniki Aris BC Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki.... |
 Greece |
| 1993/94, 1994/95 | Hapoel Tel Aviv Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. Hapoel Tel Aviv B.C. is an Israeli basketball club. The second most successful side in Israeli basketball, The club Owned by Hapoel Tel Aviv Supporters Trust and is currently in Liga Leumit, the Second tier.-History:... |
Israel |
| 1995/96 | CSP Limoges |  France |
| 1995/96*, 1996/97 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 1997/98, 1998/99 | PAOK Thessaloniki | Greece |
| 1999/2000, 2000/01 | Hapoel Jerusalem | Israel |
| 2001/02 | Śląsk Wrocław |  Poland |
| 2001/02* | Makedonikos BC Makedonikos BC Makedonikos B.C. is a Greek professional basketball club. The club is located in Neapoli, Thessaloniki , Greece. The club was founded in the year 1928.-History:... |
Greece |
| 2002/03 | Hapoel Galil-Elyon | Israel |
| 2003/04*, 2004/05 | MBC Dynamo Moscow MBC Dynamo Moscow MBC Dynamo Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team from Moscow, Russia.-Early Years:Created in 1923 when Russia was part of the Soviet Union, Dynamo is among the oldest sports clubs in the country. Its name was chosen because Dynamo means 'power in motion'. The club was backed by the... |
 Russia |
| 2007/08* | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 2009/10* | Spartak Saint Petersburg Spartak Saint Petersburg BC Spartak Saint Petersburg is a Russian professional basketball team that is based in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The club is currently in the Russian Professional Basketball League.-Honors:*Soviet/Russian Super League:**2 times Champions... |
Russia |
| * Denotes appointment during the season. |
European Titles
- 1 Saporta CupSaporta CupSaporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
title (1992/93, with Aris BC ThessalonikiAris BCAris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
);
- 1 Russian Basketball CupRussian Basketball CupThe Russian Basketball Cup is the primary professional national domestic basketball cup competition of Russia. The first cup tournament took place in the year 2000...
title (2010-11, with BC Spartak Saint Petersburg)
- 3 European ChampionshipEuroleagueEuroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
finals (1986/87, 1988/89, 2007/08Euroleague 2007-08The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2007–2008 season featured 24 competing teams. The Euroleague Regular Season drew was held on 30 June 2007 in the Jesolo, Italy, during the inaugural Euroleague summer league...
with Maccabi Tel Aviv);
- 1 European ChampionshipEuroleagueEuroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
third-place (1990/91, with Maccabi Tel Aviv).
Israeli Titles
- 10 Israeli Basketball SuperleagueLigat WinnerLigat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
titles (1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, all with Maccabi Tel Aviv);
- 6 Israeli Basketball State CupIsraeli Basketball State CupThe Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
championships (1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1990/91, all with Maccabi Tel Aviv).