The second annual Euroleague Basketball On-Line Coaching Clinic is now taking applicants for what will be a unique educational experience for any student of sports: a courtside seat to witness a "Battle of the Coaches" between two of the top names in their profession - Ettore Messina and Aito Garcia Reneses.

The 2009 clinic format promises a meeting of the minds - and more than a little bit of competitive vigor, too - between two basketball coaching legends who need no introduction.

Coach Garcia Reneses of Unicaja - universally known as Aito - led Spain to the last Olympic silver medal and is a global trailblazer in team teaching techniques and the development of young prospects. Coach Messina of CSKA Moscow is a four-time Euroleague champion and renowned tactical expert in every facet of basketball. The new edition of the clinic build's on last season's successful debut, in which Coach Messina worked directly with students both on-line and on-court.

"The experience of last year's clinic proved rich and useful to all of us who participated," Coach Messina said. "To alternate on-line classes with others on the court was a good decision whose success let us create a new course concept for coaches. To add Aito to that dynamic now is without doubt a great attraction. I will be integrating new themes, new concepts, new visions and new experiences this time with the same enthusiasm as we had in the first clinic. I expect this new concept will interest the students and allow all of us to keep learning."

This time, Coach Messina and Coach Aito will conduct a months-long debate about their coaching philosophies for students of the class to follow on-line before joining both men at a four-day end-of-course seminar in Barcelona. Among the general subjects to be discussed in the course plan are preseason team-building, defensive philosophy, fastbreaks, offensive philosophy, zones and scouting.

"I have always considered it essential to share knowledge and experiences at all levels," Coach Aito said. "The opportunity to share this course with Ettore Messina and bring our visions of basketball to coaches from all corners of the world seems to me a marvelous opportunity. The course offers us every possibility to apply new technologies to the study of basketball and then to share what we learn in-person during the final session in Barcelona. It's a very interesting combination."

Anyone interested in becoming a student of the on-line clinic may apply now. The application deadline is February 6, 2009, although early applicants and coaches will receive priority. Confirmation of enrolment is guaranteed by February 9, with coursework to begin on-line February 16 and last through June 12. The on-court portion of the clinic with both coaches will be in Barcelona from June 25 to 27, 2009.