The Croatian basketball coach earned his second career Gold at the world’s leading olive oil quality contest.
Olive Oil Times |
Šibenik, Croatia — Neven Spahija has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the S Olive oil brand.
S Olive oil is an extra virgin olive oil of medium intensity, distinguished by fresh herb notes layered with vanilla and green almond, followed by black pepper and a hot chili kick. The sensory profile reflects the careful handling of fruit from Spahija’s groves in the Šibenik hinterlands, where harvesting and extraction decisions are made with an eye toward balance and freshness.
Neven Spahija, 62, is widely known for a basketball career that has included championship titles in six European countries and experience in the NBA. In recent years, Spahija has also become a familiar name among Croatian quality producers, building S Olive Oil alongside his coaching work and returning to the family’s land whenever the season and training schedule allow.
S Olive Oil is produced from 175 olive trees planted in 2002 on a fifth century family estate in the Šibenik hinterlands. Spahija’s connection to olive cultivation is rooted in Dalmatian tradition, and he has described the work in the groves as a counterbalance to the pressures of professional sport. In a 2025 interview with Olive Oil Times, he underscored the intensity of the craft itself, saying, “If you look at the scale, the competition among olive growers is greater. There are more of them.”
The Gold Award continues a strong early record at the NYIOOC for Spahija, who now holds two Gold Awards across two total entries. After earning a Gold in 2025, the 2026 recognition confirms the consistency of S Olive Oil’s quality and places the Croatian producer among a growing cohort of medal winners from the country’s coastal and hinterland groves.
In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, Neven Spahija is ranked #34 in Croatia, #91 in the Northern Hemisphere and #94 Worldwide.
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world’s leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.