Major changes are on the horizon for women's basketball in Azerbaijan. Ioannis Diamantakos – the new head coach of the national team and coordinator for women's squads across all age groups – brings with him not only a wealth of experience but also a clear vision for the sport's development in the country. Having previously worked in Lebanon, Palestine, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Greece, the coach aims to lay a solid foundation for the sport and elevate it to a new level.
In an interview with İdman.Biz, Diamantakos discussed his plans for implementing his ideas, the challenges currently facing women's basketball in Azerbaijan, the role of psychology in the sport, and much more.
– Why did you decide to accept Azerbaijan’s offer?
– First of all, I consider it a great honour to work for a national team. Azerbaijan is the fourth national team I have had the honour of serving in my career. For any coach, representing a country is a special responsibility and a unique challenge. I have always enjoyed working on projects like this because they give you the opportunity to build, create, and contribute to something lasting.
During my discussions with the federation’s leadership, I was impressed by what they have accomplished in recent years: the progress of the men’s national teams, the development of the domestic league, and the presence of Azerbaijani clubs in European competitions. The federation deserves considerable credit for that progress.
Equally important was their vision for women’s basketball. I believe any coach in my position who truly wants to build something and leave a lasting legacy would be attracted by this opportunity. That ambition to create something sustainable was central to my decision.
– The head coach of Neftchi, Kostas Vasileiadis, your compatriot. Did you discuss the offer with him before coming to Azerbaijan?
– Kostas Vasileiadis was an outstanding player and, in my opinion, one of the finest shooters Greece has ever produced. I admired him as a player, and I am confident that he can also have an excellent coaching career. His start here has been very encouraging, and I wish him every success.
We have faced each other in the past—he was a player, and I was an assistant coach at the time—but we did not know each other personally. Kostas spent many years competing at a very high level abroad. Since we did not have a personal relationship, I did not have the opportunity to discuss the offer with him or ask him for information before coming here. So he had no influence on my decision.
– What did you know about Azerbaijani women’s teams before coming here?
– I had been following Azerbaijani basketball closely, particularly over the past year. This summer, I paid close attention to the performances and development of both the boys’ and girls’ youth national teams.
Basketball occupies a very large part of my daily life. I always try to stay informed about developments internationally, especially in countries such as Azerbaijan, where there is a clear vision and a genuine effort to build. I see Azerbaijan as a country with the potential to become an emerging force in international basketball.
During my first days here, I have been particularly pleased with the competitiveness I have seen among the young players. That gives us a foundation to work with.
– You have only recently started working here, but what would you identify as the main challenges facing women’s basketball in Azerbaijan?
One of our main challenges is to establish a clear identity: a style of basketball that reflects the character of the Azerbaijani people—their fighting spirit and willingness to give everything. A national team often reflects important aspects of its country’s culture and character. We want those qualities to be visible in the way our teams play.
We have already started implementing a coordinated development plan, from U14 through to the senior women’s national team. We want continuity in technical development, tactical principles and the way our coaching staffs work together. Each age group should prepare players for the next stage, with everyone working towards the same vision.
– The Azerbaijani women’s national team will play its first game as early as November. Will it be difficult for you to understand the women’s basketball scene in Azerbaijan in such a short period? And what goal have you set for the team in the EuroBasket 2029 qualifiers?
– As I mentioned, I devote a very large part of my life to basketball, and my preparation began before I arrived. I already have a good understanding of the players available to us, including those playing abroad.
Of course, time affects how much a team can absorb and implement. We will not be fully ready in every aspect by November, but we can begin establishing the principles that will define us. We will always pursue the best possible result. At the same time, we want these games to provide a starting point and a reference for the team we are building.
At this stage, we have not set specific targets in terms of wins or final positions. Given our starting point, our priorities are the qualitative objectives I have already described: establishing an identity, developing our players and creating continuity across all age groups. As we move closer to the competitions, particularly next summer’s European youth championships, we will have had a much longer period to work with our teams.
The journey to the top is not a 100-metre sprint; it is a marathon. We are just beginning that marathon, and we want to start in the best possible way. Consistency and continuity will be essential. Difficult moments will come, and when they do, we must stay united and focused on our goals. I am very optimistic that, further down the road, we will all be proud of this effort.
Our main characteristics should be fighting spirit, strong defensive performances and a versatile offensive game. In particular, our fighting spirit on defence must become a defining feature of this team, both at the beginning and throughout our development.
– What approach will you take to selecting the main national team squad?
Building the senior national team around young players is a key objective set by the federation’s leadership, and I fully support it.
We want to build a team with a future beyond the November and February windows. These games should mark the beginning of a journey that, in the years ahead, will make all of us proud.
Young players will therefore have a central role—not only those selected for the upcoming games, but also those who can contribute in the future. I want every player to know that the door to the national team is open, provided she demonstrates through her work and performances that she deserves a place on the roster.
I am already very pleased with the competitiveness I have seen among our young players during my first ten days here.
– Our 3x3 team has been achieving good results. Do you plan to bring players from the 3x3 team into the senior national team?
We are all very proud of the successes and achievements of Azerbaijan’s 3x3 team, and I am confident that even greater successes lie ahead in the near future.
Including players from the 3x3 team in the senior national team is certainly an option we are considering. However, any final decision will depend on a combination of factors that need to be carefully assessed. We will announce our decisions when the time is right.
– Recently, several promising Azerbaijani female basketball players went to the United States to study. Will this practice continue, and how beneficial do you think such opportunities are for the development of Azerbaijani basketball?
– I see this as a positive development. First of all, it shows that Azerbaijan has produced talented players whose abilities have earned them opportunities to combine education and basketball in the United States. This is a path followed by players from across Europe, and such opportunities can contribute significantly to their development.
Looking ahead, I would also like to see a strong domestic women’s league that allows Azerbaijani players to build worthwhile careers here. Going to the United States should remain an option, while players who return after their studies should also have the opportunity to compete in a competitive league at home. That is something I would very much like to see as part of the future development of women’s basketball in Azerbaijan.
– Are there any joint projects with Greece being planned? And given that basketball is much more developed in your home country, what advanced Greek methods would you like to implement here?
– It is true that basketball in Greece is at a very high level. Our national team finished third at EuroBasket last year, and the current EuroLeague champions are also a Greek club.
What I would particularly like to bring here is a systematic approach to training: a clear methodology, structured progression and a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of the game. Dribbling, passing, shooting and one-on-one skills are essential. A player who masters those fundamentals has a passport to a higher level of basketball. That foundation must be at the centre of our work.
We would like to develop cooperation with Greece and with other national federations. We are exploring possibilities for bilateral cooperation, including friendly games and tournaments. At the moment, however, these are ideas and plans that we are still developing. It is too early to announce any specific projects.
– Does this approach also apply to working with younger groups?
– Yes. With the youngest players, our priority must be to build strong fundamentals from the beginning. Alongside technical development, we want to cultivate a winning mentality, consistency and the shared identity we are establishing across all our national teams. The youngest age groups are where that process begins. What we teach there should prepare players to progress naturally through the age categories and eventually into the senior national team.
– Finally, I would like to touch upon a noteworthy fact from your career. You hold a PhD in psychology. How does this background help you in your work as a coach? This is quite uncommon among Azerbaijani coaches. Do you think local coaches should also consider getting an education in psychology?
I decided to pursue a PhD in psychology because I firmly believe that basketball is deeply psychological. At any moment during a game, an event can affect a player’s psychological state, positively or negatively, and consequently influence her performance. As with every human activity, psychology is inseparable from what we do.
My studies gave me a scientific framework for understanding players and approaching them before, during and after competition. Experience is valuable, but it does not automatically provide that depth of understanding. Studying psychology allows a coach to look beyond the visible behaviour, understand what may be driving it and respond with greater precision. That knowledge is an important part of my coaching.
For local coaches—and for coaches everywhere—my advice is to embrace lifelong learning. Whether someone chooses further education in psychology, coaching theory or another relevant field, the important thing is to keep developing.
There is no age at which a coach should stop learning. We must read, study, stay informed and try to become better every day. As modern basketball evolves, that challenge becomes even greater.
Coaching is a complex profession. Working with young players, in particular, carries a significant educational responsibility alongside the sporting one. We are helping shape people as well as basketball players, and we must prepare ourselves accordingly.
