When listening about the success of Slovenian's athlets on the international stage, people still hardly belive that the county of only 2 milions inhabitants produced so many great names in its sporting history. But although being successful in almost every field, Slovenia still ranks basketball as one of the most popular sports in the country. It is Union Olimpija which may take a lot of credit for such a status of this game as it developed into one of the strongest sport's national institutions in the past few decades, paving the way for many basketball players from Slovenia and mostly Eastern Europe to the international scene. Known by its practicing regime, being treated as one of the most difficult in the whole Europe, the club became the central target of many young and unknown players who were searcing for a chance to prove themselve in a big club.
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Legends
Vinko Jelovac has been and still is the man from Istria deep inside his heart. Born on Novembre 18th 1948 in Jelovci near Pazin he soon became member of BC Pula and already played for the Yugoslavian youths in 1963. He stayed attached to his home region nonetheless he soon attracted the attention of Union Olimpija and moved to Ljubljana already as a youngster.
When Maribor put together a youth team in xxx, it did not overlook a 15-year-old boy, who already attracted the attention of the surroundings with his basketball tricks. The coach soon took him with when the team left for the game in Celje and there were probably nobody on the bus that was happier at that time then the newcomer Peter Vilfan was.
Those permanent spectators of games in Tivoli know it is one face they will never miss when Union Olimpija plays an international game. Ivo Daneu always seats on one of the stands, the one that borders on the hockey part of the hall. There it is the legendary player who has been written the history of Ljubljana's, Slovenian, Yugoslavian and World basketball.
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Stars
When looking for a guard with a soft hand, who will easily bag points from the outside positions, Union Olimpija did not have to look far in 2002. As a member of Triglav Osiguranje Marino Baždarić finished the 2001/2002 season as the best scorer of Goodyear League and announced the potential which did not go unnoticed in Ljubljana.
Roberts Štelmahers 'took care' of a curiosity that is not often found in the biggest European clubs. With 29 years old he is a few months older then his head-coach Saša Filipovski but as a true professional he does not allow to be bother with that on the court. 'Everyone has his job to do and I am working on the court,' he says.
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Coach
Sašo
Filipovski It would have been a total miracle
if Union Olimpija's head-coach Sašo Filipovski would
not follow sport many years ago as his father was a
goal-keeper in soccer club Vardar and his mother played
volleyball. »I was poisoned with sport already as a
youngster,« explains a 30-year-old coach from Ljubljana,
the youngest one in Goodyear League. He played basketball
in youth selections, but after he injured his shoulder
he decided to study at the Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana.
»I soon became the assistant at the Faculty, combining
theory and practice for two years. Beside teaching I
was twice a day at Olimpija's practices. I was an assistant
coach to Zmago Sagadin for six years and another more
to Tomo Mahoric,« says Sašo Filipovski who had many
obstacles on his way during his first year but he kept
his ambitions for the future.
Vinko Jelovac
When Maribor put together a youth team in xxx, it did not overlook a 15-year-old boy, who already attracted the attention of the surroundings with his basketball tricks. The coach soon took him with when the team left for the game in Celje and there were probably nobody on the bus that was happier at that time then the newcomer Peter Vilfan was.
Those permanent spectators of games in Tivoli know it is one face they will never miss when Union Olimpija plays an international game. 
When looking for a guard with a soft hand, who will easily bag points from the outside positions, Union Olimpija did not have to look far in 2002. As a member of Triglav Osiguranje 
Roberts Štelmahers
Sašo
Filipovski It would have been a total miracle
if Union Olimpija's head-coach Sašo Filipovski would
not follow sport many years ago as his father was a
goal-keeper in soccer club Vardar and his mother played
volleyball. »I was poisoned with sport already as a
youngster,« explains a 30-year-old coach from Ljubljana,
the youngest one in Goodyear League. He played basketball
in youth selections, but after he injured his shoulder
he decided to study at the Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana.
»I soon became the assistant at the Faculty, combining
theory and practice for two years. Beside teaching I
was twice a day at Olimpija's practices. I was an assistant
coach to Zmago Sagadin for six years and another more
to Tomo Mahoric,« says Sašo Filipovski who had many
obstacles on his way during his first year but he kept
his ambitions for the future.
