These are exciting times to be a part of Bulgarian basketball.

In December the federation inked a deal with former Olympiacos, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Tau Ceramica coach Pini Gershon who will lead the national team in this summer's EuroBasket 2009 qualifying round.  It's a tough road for the Bulgarians who find themselves in Group A with traditional powers Italy and Serbia as

FECC has offered Minchev the opportunity to work under the legendary Svetislav Pesic.

well as Finland and Hungary.

At Gershon's side this summer will be a man who knows plenty about international competition and Bulgarian basketball, Lubomir Minchev.  The 37-year-old, competed for his country as recently as 2003 but has lately turned to building a coaching career and in doing so has found his way into the FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate programme.

"The Bulgarian Basketball Federation and, specifically, Secretary General Ivan Cenov got me involved in the FECC," says Minchev.

The FECC runs over a two year period and focuses on the identification and development of young talent.  Coaches are given the opportunity to attend FIBA Europe youth events, analyze game video using cutting-edge software and hear lectures on topics ranging from doping control to nutrition.

"The part with practices and lectures are the most useful for me.  Getting to know the way of thinking and point of view of the coaches in the FECC is a great opportunity for us."

It also provides the chance to study under some of the best coaches in Europe.  The FECC programme mentor is World Championship winning coach Svetislav Pesic.

"Svetislav Pesic is one of the best and most successful coaches in European basketball.  To learn from and work with him is an honor for any young coach." says Minchev.

While Minchev has used the FECC to build his career and his coaching knowledge he understands that he has more to learn.

"I am too young to talk about basketball philosophy.  My coaching philosophy will change with time and experience, which I will accumulate.  For basketball philosophy you can talk to the coaches with more experience, I'm not there yet."