It's been almost fifteen years since László Rátgéber - then a thin, 26 year-old, bespectacled coach from the former Yugoslavia and the city of Novi Sad - took over MiZo Pécs (then Pécsi VSK), the most successful women's basketball team in post-communist Hungary.  An avid Clash- and Joe Strummer-fan, now an honorary member of successful Hungarian alternative rock band "Kiscsillag" (Little Star) - he quickly began to exert his influence on Hungarian basketball.

And now, after 15 highly successful years and a four year self imposed exile from the national team he is back at the helm of the Hungary, finalizing a deal with the federation last week.

"Since the 10th place finish in Patras in 2003 the national team has never made it to the EuroBasket Women, even though the field was increased from 12 to 16. Last season, despite being in an easy qualifying group, the national team not only failed to make it to the playoff for qualification, but was forced to play to avoid relegation," said Rátgéber.

"That was the moment when I felt: My country needs me, I've got to come out of my self imposed retirement."

Rátgéber, made this statement on the day he coached his 750th club game with MiZo Pécs, an easy win against minnows Cegléd.

His record of 596 wins against 154 losses makes him the most successful Hungarian club coach.

It might sound grotesque for a country like Hungary not to make two straight EuroBasket finals since the top two clubs MiZo Pécs and MKB Euroleasing Sopron have been perennial participants in the Euroleague, usually qualifying for the final eight, and three times to the Final Four.

"I firmly believe that Hungary - even in a state of relative decline - should be there in Riga at the 2009 EuroBasket Women. If I can persuade all the stars playing at home and in Europe to help the national team, nothing will be impossible. Tímea Béres of Brno, Réka Cserny of Valenciennes and Nóra Bujdosó of Bourges are welcome back, as well as the more experienced and younger players of the home league. It is not going to be easy, but I believe in the immortal words of President John F. Kennedy: Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country."

And - surely - the country is badly in need of those great players and their coach.

Rátgéber László

Born: Újvidék (Novi Sad), 11.10.1966

Teams: Vojvodina, Yugoslavia junior national, Yugoslavia national team (assistant coach to Ciga Vasiljevic), Hungary national team (1994-1997 - assistant coach to Pál Buttás, later László Killik, 1997-2004 - head coach), MiZo-PVSK, MiZo Pécs 2010 (1993-present)

Successes: European championship-4th (1997), 7th (2001), 10th (2003); World Championship-10th (1998), Hungarian champion: 9 times (1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006), Hungarian cupwinner: 9 times in a row (1997-2006); Euroleague: 3 times in final four (2001, 2004, 2005), 2 times bronze medallist (2001, 2004) 

9 times Coach of the Year in Hungary (1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006)

Career club record: 596 wins, 154 losses (79.5%),