The event at Stožice, where the spotlight was on the newly retired star from Koseze, Goran Dragić, along with his basketball friends and mentors, captured global attention. Posts about the project and the event spread across social media through Goran Dragić’s and his foundation’s channels, the NBA’s official platforms, its franchises, and domestic and international media – from the U.S. to China – reaching nearly one billion views, thanks also to basketball and sports enthusiasts.
In addition to the sold-out Stožice Arena, which hosted over 12,500 spectators, more than 500,000 people – or 50% of all television viewers at that time – watched Dragić’s farewell game on TV Slovenia 1. The game was also broadcast in Greece, Turkey, Israel, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia, while globally, basketball fans could follow Goran’s final match through the NBA app.
At the Gala Dinner the night before, when Stožice was transformed into a grand event hall, and the next evening, when the basketball players swapped tuxedos for jerseys, over 450 performers took to the stage. The lineup included Veronika Strnad, Gregor Ravnik, Rudolf Gas, Grega Skočir, Maja Keuc, dancers, accordionists, Dunking Devils, Zmajčice, Perpetuum Jazzile, Joker Out, and Magnifico, accompanied by a brass band from Divača. A team of 75 volunteers and the broader organizing committee – initially made up of 12 people, but expanding to 50 on the day of the event – coordinated the backstage and crowd activities. A total of 1,800 meals were served, carefully prepared by Jezeršek for various groups.
The impact goes beyond the event itself, as spectators and viewers continue to contribute. The donation lines GOGI5 and GOGI10 (via 1919) remain open, raising funds for the “Botrstvo v športu” (Sponsorship in Sports) program under the leadership of Anita Ogulin and the ZPM, as well as for the Goran Dragić Foundation. The total contribution will be revealed at the November event, hosted by the Slovenian Olympic Committee.
The I feel Slovenia Night of the Dragon project was awarded for its achievements with the winner’s award in the Best Sports Event category at SPORTO Awards. It has also received the Prizma award in the Event category.
"The highly complex 'I Feel Slovenia: Night of the Dragon' project, despite its incredible reach and overwhelmingly positive feedback, is not yet complete. Together with director Marko Pirc, in my role as producer, we are also working on a documentary about Gogi and his farewell event. The film is scheduled to premiere on November 8th on TV Slovenia. On that same day, we are organizing a grand gala dinner in collaboration with the Slovenian Olympic Committee, where Gogi's charitable year will officially conclude. By then, we will know the exact amount raised for the 'Sponsorship in Sports' program, run under Anita Ogulin's organization and the ZPM, as well as for the Goran Dragić Foundation. As of now, through funds raised from ticket sales at the 'I Feel Slovenia: Night of the Dragon' game, charitable SMS donations, the gala dinner auction, Petrol’s Gogi Cents initiative, and special contributions, we have surpassed €700,000. On behalf of the I Feel Slovenia: Night of the Dragon organizing team, Goran, and both charitable organizations, I would like to sincerely thank all donors. Our hope is to reach the one-million-euro mark, and we will do everything possible to achieve this by November."
"I think this is one of the most beautiful evenings of my life. To finish where I’ve always felt most at home – on the court, surrounded by friends and teammates. I believe the event was wonderful. All the players said: hats off to the organizers. I will never forget it; I gave my all when I played for Slovenia. Thank you all for everything."
Event organizer:
SPONTANZO, spontana kreativnost in šport, d.o.o.
Savlje 6
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
E-mail: info@spontanzo.com
