Anadolu Efes Istanbul repeated as the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion with a 57-58 victory over Real Madrid with only five players scoring points.

Efes trio carries the load to take EuroLeague crown


Entering the championship game, Efes was the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague's top-scoring team over the past four seasons with 84.3 points per game. However, Efes won its second consecutive title by netting just 58 points, the lowest it scored in any EuroLeague game in that period. Of that total, Vasilije Micic, Tibor Pleiss and Shane Larkin combined to score 52.

Final Four MVP Micic shined with 23 points on 4-for-7 three-point shooting and Pleiss had 19 points while pulling down 7 rebounds. Larkin scored 10 together with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The only other Efes scorers were Chris Singleton with 4 points and Bryant Dunston with 2.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul champ Final Four Belgrade 2022 5- EB21-FFF

Real Madrid v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2022-05-21T17:00:00.000Z)

Post-game quotes: championship game Madrid vs. Efes

### Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach

“I’m sorry for Real Madrid, they made a great game, but we knew how to manage the game, especially the last minutes because I have in the team star players who know how to play in that kind of situation. In the finals, strategy, especially offensive strategy, is not working well, you see that in all games in the Final Four. But great players can resolve situations. In the last quarter, all the team made a great defense, we really solved the problems for the offensive rebounds. We had a big problem until the third quarter with offensive rebounds, we gave away a lot of points, and then we found a way to win the game."

### Pablo Laso, Real Madrid head coach:

“Of course, I’m happy the way we played, congratulations to Efes for the win, it was a great final. Everybody fighting for every ball. We were missing some open shots that we didn’t score and missing those baskets at the end. On a do or die, probably on my mind is gonna be the last play: should we foul, shouldn’t we foul? We didn’t get the rebound. I think if we had got the rebound we could have had a last shot, but we couldn’t get a clean rebound…well, congratulations Efes, that’s it.”

Post-game quotes: championship game Real vs. Efes

Anadolu Efes Istanbul made history by defending its crown from last season with a defensive-minded 57-58 victory over Real Madrid, the team with the most titles in competition history, 10. Efes becomes the first back-to-back EuroLeague champion since Olympiacos Piraeus in 2012 and 2013. The only other repeat winners since 1988 when the modern Final Four era began are Maccabi Tel Aviv (2004 and 2005) and Jugoplastika Split (1989, 1990, 1991).

Walter Tavares had a monster first quarter to get Real off on the right foot, but it soon settled into a cat-and-mouse battle with 10 lead changes and five ties going into the last 3 minutes, as his counterpart, Tibor Pleiss, scored 17 second-half points. A tip-in by Pleiss going into the final minute was good for a 55-58 lead as Real managed only a layup by Sergio Llull thereafter. Micic led Efes with 23 points, Pleiss added 19 and Shane Larkin 10. The rest of the Efes players had 6 points between them. Real's sole double-digit scorer was Tavares, who had 12 of his 14 points in the first quarter. Llull came next with 9 points.

No team was able to find offensive momentum in the early going, despite a display of high-pace basketball on both ends. Micic's single free throw was the only point that fell in the first 2 minutes. Adam Hanga broke the ice with a layup that was soon answered by an outside shot from Pleiss. Tavares then took over inside with consecutive buckets that pushed Real ahead, 6-4, but Micic replied from deep to tie it. Tavares kept rocking in the paint, providing 6 more points to build a 12-6 advantage for *Los Blancos*. Tavares added his 12th point to make it 15-8 entering the last minute, but Larkin revived Efes with a triple and a three-point play that brought Efes within 15-14 after 10 minutes. By then, Tavares had 5 offensive boards among his 7 total, both of which were single-quarter records in any Final Four game.

Micic beat Tavares off-the-dribble to give a 15-16 edge to Efes at the start of the second quarter. Jeffery Taylor hit a corner three to end *Los Blancos'* drought from behind the arc, but Chris Singleton found an easy dunk and Micic shined again driving to the basket to keep Efes in charge, 18-20. Real didn't tremble and soon recovered a 26-22 advantage behind a bucket by Sergio Llull and a powerful alley-oop slam by Vincent Poirier. Fabien Causeur followed with a contested layup and Anthony Randolph made things worse for Efes, 29-22, with a three-pointer. Larkin and Micic took over on the other end, combining for 7 points that shrunk the difference to just one possession, 31-29. The rally didn't go further, though, as a corner three-pointer by Randolph allowed Real to reach halftime ahead, 34-29.

Real widened the gap after the break to 37-29 thanks to a free throw by Tavares and layup by Alberto Abalde. Pleiss counterattacked under the board, but that was the only Efes field goal for the first 6 minutes of the third quarter. Even though Real also struggled on offense, too, Hanga sank  a long triple to make it 40-31 midway through the third quarter. The reigning champs found a solution in Pleiss, who first added free throws and then came up big from behind the arc to bring Efes within 40-36. Micic joined him with 2 more free throws that made it 40-38 and then added a layup later right after Yabusele scored inside as Real clung to a slim 42-40 advantage after 30 minutes.

Efes needed just 1 more minute to complete its rally through Micic, who drilled a contested three-pointer over Tavares for a 42-43 lead. Chris Singleton followed with a steal and a finish which extended it to 42-45 with 7 minutes remaining. Real held on thanks to the free-throw line, as Deck, Llull and Poirier combined for 5 points there that made it all square, 47-47. Pleiss's next basket was replied to with a timely triple by Lllull to return the lead to *Los Blancos*, 50-49. Pleiss took over again, turning back-to-back assists by Micic into a corner jumper and a monster alley-oop to turn the tables again, putting Efes up 50-53 with 3 minutes to go. Even though Deck showed up from deep to forge a new tie, Micic answered quickly from the same place as Efes stayed in front, 53-56, entering crunch time. Real found Tavares inside to draw a foul that was turned into a free throw and an offensive rebound that provided another point from the line to keep it tight, 55-56. Pleiss was again a key factor for his team, as he made up for Micic's missed layup with a decisive tip-in and a 55-58 advantage with 1:05 remaining. Llull got *Los Blancos* closer with an off-the-dribble layup on the next possession, 57-58, and still 0:44 to play. There were no more points in the game, though, as Real's fouls allowed Efes to consume the remaining time and confirm a historic victory.

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague has its first back-to-back champion in nine years and just the fourth of the Final Four era after a showdown for the trophy on Saturday in Belgrade, Serbia, that did perfect justice to the spectacular season that came before it.

Efes does it again, 57-58, in a title-game thriller!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Locker room going crazy🍾 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> <a href="https://t.co/DhY4ExVo1k">pic.twitter.com/DhY4ExVo1k</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528107431456395265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneLarkin_3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneLarkin_3</a> celebrating with the fans🙌🏻<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/M5p893DfSE">pic.twitter.com/M5p893DfSE</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528101289732755456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great basketball on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> and one more time we showed why we are basketball country! 🇷🇸 Amazing weekend even on TV. Can&#39;t even imagine what it&#39;s like in person. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProudSerbian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProudSerbian</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; Danilo Andjusic (@Djusa33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Djusa33/status/1528098186409254913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to back.. you have to respect that!! Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a></p>&mdash; Tornike Shengelia (@TokoShengelia23) <a href="https://twitter.com/TokoShengelia23/status/1528092656160620552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> and specially to my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/alper11yilmaz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alper11yilmaz</a></p>&mdash; Jayson granger (@jaygranger11) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaygranger11/status/1528087866382884864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to my brother <a href="https://twitter.com/Elijah_Bryant3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Elijah_Bryant3</a> for making history. NBA champ and Euroleague champ. Blessing.</p>&mdash; Othello hunter (@O_hunter5) <a href="https://twitter.com/O_hunter5/status/1528087601101606912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Here we are again, back-to-back. One of the best teams ever”<br><br>Hear out <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneLarkin_3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneLarkin_3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/wq1v0GITUN">pic.twitter.com/wq1v0GITUN</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528092887510130689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another outstanding season for Vasilije Micic 👏 <br><br>A back-to-back champion and a two time <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> MVP 🏆 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/1SJi4vZan0">pic.twitter.com/1SJi4vZan0</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528088067264983043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to Back🏆 is tough. <br>Much Respect 👏🏽<br>3 finals in 4 Years. Not easy to stay locked in and stay at the top . <br>Big Congrats!</p>&mdash; Kyle Hines (@SirHines) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines/status/1528091074815840256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd1KzhbrdON/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd1KzhbrdON/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd1KzhbrdON/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Anadolu Efes Spor Kulübü (@anadoluefessk)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

### Efes runs out the clock

After Llull’s tip-in made it 57-58 with 44.2 seconds remaining, Real never got the ball back. First Micic took off some time by drawing a foul from Yabusele. Then Larkin got the ball and drove to the basket and was fouled with 17.4 seconds remaining. Real opted to play defense and not foul, but Efes milked the clock and got the ball to Larkin who hoisted a three-pointer from the corner with about 4 seconds left. Even though he missed, there were too many hands for any Real player to grab a clean rebound and the clock ran out on Real’s season. Efes is the first back-to-back champion since Olympiacos in 2012 and 2013.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">⏱ Últimos 65 segundos de encuentro. Tiempo muerto. <br><br>▶️ <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> 55-58 <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APorLa11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APorLa11</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4Glory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4Glory</a> <a href="https://t.co/SVfCglUaaM">pic.twitter.com/SVfCglUaaM</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1528083877931229187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The little things

Sergio Llull goes 1 for 2 from the line. Real gets the offensive rebound and Tavares is fouled with a chance to tie it. However, he goes 1 for 2! At the other end, a monster offensive rebound by Singleton leads to a tip-in by Pleiss. The details may decide the championship and in the second-to-least minute, more details worked out in Efes’s favor.

### It all comes down to this!

After a triple by Deck, the score is tied at 53-53 with 2-plus minutes remaining. The while season, the 2022 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship, will be decided here in the closing minutes. It’s all the drama we could have asked for!

### Pleiss standing tall

Whenever the Real defense takes its eyes off Pleiss, the Efes guards make sure to find him. The Efes center took a pass from Micic to sink a go-ahead baseline jumper that made it 50-51 and then the same connection resulted in an alley-oop slam. Pleiss is someone to watch here down the stretch.

### Efes has the lead in the stands

It wasn’t clear during the player introductions or even early in the game, but now that Efes has rallied to take the lead, the pockets of Efes fans around Stark Arena can be easily seen an heard. There was a roar on the go-ahead Micic three and Singleton’s steal and dunk brought them to their feet!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/C_SING31?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@C_SING31</a> getting the crowd HYPED with the steal and slam! <br><br>F4GLORY I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7DAYSMagicMoment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7DAYSMagicMoment</a> <a href="https://t.co/bKFu3rcgym">pic.twitter.com/bKFu3rcgym</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528081095388024833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinalFour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinalFour</a> Final <br>Real Madrid 42 - 40 Anadolu Efes | 3. Çeyrek Sonucu<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewQuest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewQuest</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/4cBPEKFAGl">pic.twitter.com/4cBPEKFAGl</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1528078047668322306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Pleiss, Micic rally Efes

Tibor Pleiss and Micic scored all the points for Efes in a 2-9 run to get within 2. Ataman sent Micic to the bench to rest with 1 minute left in the half. After some pushing between James Anderson and Poirier, which the referees reviewed on the monitor and awarded double technical fouls, Micic had an extended rest. Larkin had a chance to tie it, but missed 2 free throws and the third quarter finished 42-40 for Real.

### Tavares ties offensive rebound record

There will be more on this later here on the EuroLeague’s official website, but with his 8th offensive rebound, Tavares has tied the record for offensive boards in the championship game during the Final Four era. He joins Ken Barlow of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dragan Tarlac of Olympiacos Piraeus for the record. Barlow set the record against Milan in 1988 and Tarlac matched him against Barcelona in 1997.

### Hanga gives Real biggest lead yet

Hanga buried a deep three that gave Real the game’s biggest lead so far, 40-31. Llull, who assisted on that triple, missed a leaner that could have made it a double-digit lead. That prompted a timeout in which Coach Ataman will try to recharge his trope with only 15 minutes left in the season.

### To start the second half

Real sends out Abalde, Hanga, Causeur, Yabusele and Tavares. Efes counters with Larkin, Micic, Elijah Bryant, Singleton and Bryant Dunston.  

### First-half numbers that matter

Real Madrid has delivered 9 assists and committed just 1 turnover. Seven players from Madrid have dished at least 1 assist. Efes has just 2 assists and 4 turnovers. Real is getting plenty of contributions off the bench and Efes… not so much. Real’s reserves have scored 56% of their points and Efes’s just 14%. Between its turnovers and 8 offensive rebounds, Real has attempted 7 more shots than Efes, so even though both teams are shooting 50% on twos and Efes is shooting slightly better on threes and free throws, Real holds the lead.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinalFour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinalFour</a> Final <br>Real Madrid 34 - 29 Anadolu Efes | İlk Yarı Sonucu<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewQuest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewQuest</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/fqaOzH4Atb">pic.twitter.com/fqaOzH4Atb</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1528067808575332353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Efes guards come through

Just like Real leaned on its strength in the frontcourt to jump in front, Efes has stayed close behind its prolific backcourt. Larkin has taken on multiple defenders and finished around others for two spectacular layups and Micic drained a three-pointer to get Efes within 2. A triple by Randolph gave Real a bit more breathing room at the break.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneLarkin_3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneLarkin_3</a> gets the tuff layup😳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7DAYSMagicMoment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7DAYSMagicMoment</a> i <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/cQXysqTvq7">pic.twitter.com/cQXysqTvq7</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528068434973499392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Important minutes for Real

Los Blancos’ entire lineup early in the second quarter consists of players off the bench: Llull, Causeur, Rudy Fernandez, Randolph and Poirier. If Real can withstand the pressure, it can finish the half with all of its starters fresh. Efes has played with at least two starters on the floor at all times so far.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">⏸ Final del 1⃣er cuarto. <br><br>▶️ <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> 15-14 <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APorLa11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APorLa11</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/N8w10xUnWq">pic.twitter.com/N8w10xUnWq</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1528062829814861824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Tavares sits with 2 fouls

Tavares fouled Shane Larkin on a layup, leading to a three-point play that brought Efes within 15-14 at the end of the quarter. Foul trouble was just what Efes was hoping for and now Real will hope that Vincent Poirier can match his prowess because the outside shots are not falling for Los Blancos, which is 0 for 8 from deep. Larkin and Micic have each made threes for Efes.

### Efes needs an answer for Tavares

The Real Madrid All-EuroLeague center scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the first 7 and a half minutes alone! Five of those rebounds were on the offensive glass. Efes must find an answer for Tavares who is playing like a man possessed. To try and change things, Coach Ataman has sent Bryant Dunston and Chris Singleton in.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">🦾 ¡Imparable <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@waltertavares22</a>!<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APorLa11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APorLa11</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/TyD6a5mczP">pic.twitter.com/TyD6a5mczP</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1528063169041678339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### What we learned from the opening minutes

The nerves or the championship game showed as neither team made a basket in the first 2 minutes – the first points came from a single Micic free throw at 8:12. What we can see early is that Real is using Abalde as its primary playmaker and Hanga is in a secondary role. On defense, Yabusele has picked up Micic at halfcourt on a few possessions, too.

### Here are tonight’s starting lineups

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Real Madrid karşısında ilk 5️⃣:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewQuest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewQuest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/jcM47nvwvY">pic.twitter.com/jcM47nvwvY</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1528057425202380800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🤩 EL QUINTETO PARA LA FINAL DE <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a>: <br> <br>6⃣ <a href="https://twitter.com/albertoabalde6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@albertoabalde6</a> <br>8️⃣ Adam Hanga<br>1️⃣4️⃣ <a href="https://twitter.com/gabriel_deck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gabriel_deck</a> <br>2⃣2⃣ <a href="https://twitter.com/waltertavares22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@waltertavares22</a> <br>2⃣8⃣ <a href="https://twitter.com/DTP_Mario?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DTP_Mario</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/PalladiumHG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PalladiumHG</a> <a href="https://t.co/GciQGvGh8C">pic.twitter.com/GciQGvGh8C</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1528056680268894219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Real’s bigs are pumped 

While most of the players on the two teams are taking it easy on the pre-game layup lines, several members of the Real Madrid frontcourt are hyped and showing it. Guerschon Yabusele, Vincent Poirier, Jeffery Taylor and Walter Tavares have all throws down some monster slams in the warmups. It’s Saturday night’s main event and these guys are feeling it!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">✨ <a href="https://twitter.com/DTP_Mario?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DTP_Mario</a> ✨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APorLa11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APorLa11</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4Glory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4Glory</a> <a href="https://t.co/pQrXIqaM6F">pic.twitter.com/pQrXIqaM6F</a></p>&mdash; Real Madrid Basket (@RMBaloncesto) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto/status/1528048213067956232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> gets on the court!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/gvFensc506">pic.twitter.com/gvFensc506</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528053204767887360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> is ready for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> Championship battle! 🔥👀 <a href="https://t.co/UQng9L84zS">pic.twitter.com/UQng9L84zS</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528052586598875137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


### Juan Nuñez to dress for Los Blancos

There has been much conversation around Belgrade about who would fill the roster spot of injured Real Madrid guard Nigel Williams-Goss for the championship game. Coach Pablo Laso decided on 17-year-old talent Juan Nuñez. The promising teenager has already appeared in 10 EuroLeague games this season, including once in the playoffs against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. He played a season-high 10 minutes against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Round 18, scored a season-high 5 against ALBA Berlin in Round 13 and dished a season-high 3 assists against UNICS Kazan in Round 7.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">👏 Respect for the MVP <a href="https://t.co/Fd0wwUX0Ho">pic.twitter.com/Fd0wwUX0Ho</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1528046939488518144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The game stats!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAROLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAROLY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/teAVioyRTY">pic.twitter.com/teAVioyRTY</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1528044061499719681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">🚨 FINAL Barça 84-74 <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a><br> <br>👏 Bon esforç, equip! <br><br>🥉 Acabem l&#39;<a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> en tercera posició<br><br>🔵🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a>! <a href="https://t.co/8OM93vfb5Z">pic.twitter.com/8OM93vfb5Z</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1528040777800114177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Finalists are in the building!

While Barcelona and Olympiacos tussle in the Third-Place Game, the finalists are getting ready for Saturday night’s main event. Real Madrid was followed minutes later by Anadolu Efes Istanbul in arriving at Stark Arena late in the third quarter so their players can change, stretch and be ready to take the court for early shots as soon as the early game finishes.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">3rd Quarter Ends FC Barcelona - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> 62-56 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAROLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAROLY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/ffLc8sLndr">pic.twitter.com/ffLc8sLndr</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1528034332346138626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Reds take advantage of Barca’s third-quarter woes

Real Madrid turned its semifinal against Barcelona around with a 2-17 run to finish the third quarter and that same quarter is proving to be a problem for Barcelona tonight. After surging to a 57-42 lead, the Reds finish the third on a 2-10 run in which Vezenkov scored 8.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">👊 A solid run to end the half!<br><br>🏀 Barça 45-38 <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a><br><br>👉Descans<br><br>🔵🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a>! <a href="https://t.co/dVB4UstWy5">pic.twitter.com/dVB4UstWy5</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1528024054183124993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Barca regains control

After Olympiacos completed its comeback and the lead changed hands several times, Barcelona finished the half strong with 8 unsawed points to lead 45-38 at the break. Nick Calathes fed Sertac Sanli for a triple and then Mirotic set up Alex Abrines for a three. Calathes banked in a shot to conclude the run.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Beautiful basketball by <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a> and an athletic Shaquielle McKissic finish!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7DAYSMagicMoment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7DAYSMagicMoment</a> <a href="https://t.co/kv7Gu9voDP">pic.twitter.com/kv7Gu9voDP</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528023910632935424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1st Quarter Ends FC Barcelona - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> 20-18 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAROLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAROLY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/1EoFgJQ01A">pic.twitter.com/1EoFgJQ01A</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1528018101559754752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Olympiacos closes the gap

Tyler Dorsey scored 6 first-quarter points and All-EuroLeague forward Sasha Vezenkov contributed 5 points and 3 rebounds as the Reds closed the gap. Hassan Martin’s tip-in that narrowly beat the first-quarter buzzer made it 20-18 after 10 minutes.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sasha Vezenkov beats the first-quarter buzzer!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7DAYSMagicMoment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7DAYSMagicMoment</a> <a href="https://t.co/JU3em2Qlq7">pic.twitter.com/JU3em2Qlq7</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528019319572996096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Mirotic takes charge early

Barcelona has jumped out to a 10-2 lead with EuroLeague MVP Nikola Mirotic running the show. The star power forward has scored twice and dished 2 assists in that charge. He also suffered an incidental elbow to his face from Olympiacos forward Kostas Papanikolaou, but he kept on shining.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Starting 5️⃣ / 5️⃣ inicial del Barça<br> <br>🧠 Calathes<br>🧙‍♂️ Laprovittola<br>🎯 Kuric<br>⭐️ Mirotic<br>🕺 Sanli<br> <br>🔵🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a>! <a href="https://t.co/d5en7ylwxZ">pic.twitter.com/d5en7ylwxZ</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1528012555607752707?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The starting five!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BAROLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BAROLY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/h5dl7qMxwZ">pic.twitter.com/h5dl7qMxwZ</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1528012477321076737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">💨 Sortim! <a href="https://t.co/ZbgyhmnWu7">pic.twitter.com/ZbgyhmnWu7</a></p>&mdash; 🏆 Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket/status/1528010220663975937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔴⚪️ Proud of our Team!!!<br><br>Let’s do this!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYKOKKINA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYKOKKINA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/aUJRStLWnt">pic.twitter.com/aUJRStLWnt</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1528011800092065792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here to make their fans proud of the season they have had! <br><br>Coach Bartzokas wants a strong finish from his <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a> side at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/FggEYP2DfH">pic.twitter.com/FggEYP2DfH</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1528010381070835713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Good afternoon, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague fans! The day has come to crown a EuroLeague champion! It will either be Anadolu Efes Istanbul repeating as champion or Real Madrid winning its 11th continental title in Belgrade, the place where it won its 10th in 2018. Stay tuned as we will be here with you until a new champ lifts the trophy. First, however, at 16:00 CET, FC Barcelona and Olympiacos Piraeus play for third place.

Follow all the latest news and updates for Saturday's games, the third-place game followed by the EuroLeague Championship Game, here with the Game Blog!



Game Blog: Back-to-back titles for Efes!

Juan Nunez - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Anadolu Efes Istanbul champ Final Four Belgrade 2022 2- EB21-FFF

Nikola Djurisic was named the Most Valuable Player award of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals for leading U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade to its first ANGT title in club history. 

Djurisic named ANGT Finals MVP after helping Mega to title

At a ceremony at halftime of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game, Djurisic headlined the All-Tournament Team which also included his teammate and center Bassala Bagayoko, forward Pacome Dadiet of the U18 Next Generation Select Team, guard Kymany Houinsou from U18 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and U18 Real Madrid center Eli Ndiaye.

Djurisic, Houinsou and Ndiaye all made the ANGT Finals All-Tournament Team in 2020-21 with Ndiaye being named MVP last season.

Djurisic spearheaded a big fourth quarter run in Mega's 82-61 victory over NGS in the ANGT Championship Game and finished with a team-high 21 points to go with 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal for a performance index rating of 8. For the tournament, the guard collected 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 9.0 fouls drawn for a PIR of 16.3.

Bagayoko played a major role in Mega getting the title as well as he tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for a PIR of 28 in the Championship Game. In three games, he averaged 17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks for an average PIR of 28.0.

Bagayoko also took home the Rising Star award as the best player born 2005 or later. The 2006-born big man follows in the footsteps of Paulius Murauskas, who won the only previous edition of the honor, in 2019.

Dadiet helped NGS reach the ANGT Championship Game, where he picked up 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals for a PIR of 4. For the tournament he had 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and an index rating of 13.5.

Houinsou averaged 13.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 6.7 fouls drawn for an average PIR of 24.0 for ASVEL, which finished with a 2-1 record.

Ndiaye had 15.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 steals 1.0 blocks and 20.3 PIR for a Real team that also had a 2-1 record.

Barcelona led much of the game and was ahead by as many 15 points, 57-42, midway through the third quarter, but had to resist several comeback attempts by Olympiacos, which got within 68-65 midway throughout the final one. Nikola Mirotic, Cory Higgins and Nick Calathes came up big right after the timeout that followed, returning Barcelona to a dominant position that it never abandoned. Mirotic led all Barcelona scorers with 19 points. Sertac Sanli followed with 16 while Higgins and Brandon Davies provided 11 and 10, respectively, for the winners. Nick Calathes came close to a triple-double by contributing 13 assists, 9 points and 8 rebounds. Combined with his 9 assists from the semifinals, he set a Final Four record with 22 assists in two games. Sasha Vezenkov paced Olympiacos by posting 20 points and 11 boards. Kostas Sloukas added 14 points and 7 assists, while Shaquielle McKissic scored 11 points and Tyler Dorsey poured in 10 in the losing effort.

Mirotic and Dorsey swapped baskets in the first two possessions of the game, but Barcelona was the first team to find offensive momentum. An 8-0 run in which four different players scored granted Barcelona an early 10-2 lead after 4 minutes. Dorsey revived Olympiacos and Thomas Walkup showed up from deep to bring the Reds within 10-7. Even though Sanli soon replied from the same place and Higgins banked a short jumper, Vezenkov took the reins on offense to reduce Olympiacos's disadvantage to 15-13. The rally was cut short, though, as Dante Exum contributed a three-point and Higgins added a basket that helped Barcelona retain a 20-15 edge after 10 minutes.

Another strong start lifted Barcelona's advantage to 28-22 with Brandon Davies and Rokas Jokubaitis combining for 8 points. Nobody else joined in, though, so Olympiacos got back in the game quite quickly. McKissic sparked the flame first, then Giannoulis Larentzakis and Sloukas followed to fill a 2-9 run that put the Reds in charge for the first time, 30-31, midway through the second quarter. Olyimpiacos kept scoring through its backcourt to hold a short margin, 35-36, which temporarily suffocated the fire Alex Abrines tried to start for Barcelona from beyond the arc. Sanli came on to help Abrines, contributing a bucket and a triple that Abrines followed with another bomb to make it 43-38. A couple of free throws by Calathes closed the first half with Barcelona in command, 45-38.

Abrines provided a dunk off a steal, then Sanli and Mirotic followed him with back-to-back triples that built a double-digit margin for Barcelona, 53-42, early in the third quarter. Mirotic made it even worse for the Reds with an inside bucket, while Laprovittola extended the difference to 57-42 after 24 minutes. Dorsey and Walkup stopped the bleeding for Olympiacos with free throws, but the Reds needed more than 4 minutes to score a single field goal. As such, Barcelona found no trouble in keeping the Reds under control, 60-46. Vezenkov came to rescue then, going for a three-pointer, a three-point play and a layup that changed the momentum at 62-54, raising the Olympiacos fans to their feet. Barcelona looked frozen against the Reds defense as Sloukas joined in later to bring Olympiacos within 62-56 entering the last stanza.

Higgins tried to cool down the Reds with a corner jumper to open the fourth quarter, but the Olympiacos defense was already geared up. Vezenkov and McKissic trimmed the difference to 64-60 before Calathes and Mirotic took over on the offensive side to rebuild a 68-60 Barcelona edge. It was not all said and done for the Reds, though. Sloukas drilled a three and McKissic followed with a monster fastbreak slam to force Barcelona to call timeout at 68-65 with 4 minutes remaining. However, a 7-1 run sparked by Mirotic right after that pushed Barcelona to a 75-66 margin, which looked like a final blow for the Reds. Walkup and Vezenkov tried to delay the outcome with a three-pointer and a free throw, respectively, but that couldn't stop Barcelona from following the winning path. Sanli and Mirotic hit from inside, Higgins secured a couple of free throws and Calathes capped the offensive charge with a triple that sealed the win, 84-74.

FC Barcelona took third place at the 2022 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four thanks to an 84-74 win over Olympiacos Piraeus. 

Barca turns back Reds, 84-74, for third place

FC Barcelona v Olympiacos Piraeus (2022-05-21T14:00:00.000Z)

Players FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21-3rd

Post-game quotes third place game: Barcelona vs. Olympiacos

### Sarunas Jasikevicius, FC Barcelona head coach:

"Congratulations to our players and fans and a big thank you to our fans who came to Belgrade and supported us. Everybody understands the feelings we have right now about this Final Four, it’s not really the most pleasant thing to play this game. I was really worried about how the team would look especially at the beginning, and the feeling of sadness that you enter the game with. But the guys showed a lot of professionalism and seriousness about them, going about their business. I thought it was very good. I thought it was important to do exactly what we did, come out, try to do the job.

"Obviously it’s not whole lot better now, the feeling, but it’s a little bit better. There were some positive performances for us, especially Cory playing so many minutes, that’s so important for us. Hopefully he can catch some rhythm and be the Cory Higgins that we know. Congratulations also to Olympiacos and the amazing atmosphere their fans created in this Final Four, they showed what kind of support they have and it’s really something we should mention. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s obvious that we have a good team but it’s also obvious we have a problem killing off games. Everybody knows Barca has a good team that can fight for everything. It was important to win today but not at any price, and Cory playing 22 minutes is very positive news for us. The locker room is terrible. It’s very sad.

"And I think that’s a good thing. We know that we have allowed a very big opportunity to escape us. But we know it’s not possible to win everything and a very important league trophy continues. We have to rest a little and go for the league playoffs. We have to keep pushing. No team is perfect, every team has defects and we know our own. The guys will keep working. We know that we’ve given the fans a lot of happiness already but we also know the most important thing for Barca fans is EuroLeague. So we have to keep working for more. The details we lack is about the game plan, the rules we have.

"Taking away the main thing the opposing player can do and how we can attack. But the most important is to not give any free stuff to the opponent, make them work for everything. The killer instinct is something we are trying to get. If you give a Final Four team the opportunity, they will come back. I have a team full of 30 year olds. They are experienced guys. They’ve been through good things and bad things. We have to be professional and finish the season good. We leave here tonight and this must be forgotten."

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach:

"Obviously it was a game that doesn’t give you anything, but at the same time we had to play for our pride, we had to compete for our fans. Generally I think it was a really good game, like a small final. I would like to mention two things: firstly to say how grateful I am about our fans, about the fantastic support we had all season and even today in a game without interest. I would also like to mention Georgios Printezis. 

"I think he is blessed to feel the appreciation of the fans in that way on his, probably, last game in Europe with Olympiacos. For us, it’s important to finish the season winning the domestic league. We wanted something more at the Final Four but I cannot complain about anything, and good luck to the teams that play in the final now. All year we had very good percentage from threes, but some of our players had a little pressure coming here. Maybe it was my fault that I couldn’t throw the responsibility from their shoulders.

"All year we had the best average in EuroLeague and the domestic league, so I don’t believe we have a problem from the three point line. We have a lot of good shooters but I just think we had a lot of pressure at the Final Four and it was a problem. We have a core of very good players who are contracted for next year. Georgios Printezis is 37 but everyone else is a fantastic age, a combination of enthusiasm and experience. Our additions will be two or three players, with quality to help the team that we already have."

### Nikola Mirotic, FC Barcelona forward:

“We definitely need to build from this win for the rest of the season. Obviously, it was tough to play this game, emotionally especially, but with this crowd today at some point I felt it was a final. So you’ve always got to be positive, you’ve always got to learn, and we’ve got a lot of things to learn from this Final Four. It was an amazing tournament so far, the crowd was amazing. I’m proud of our team especially today how we played. We showed our character, we were together and we won the game.”

### Nick Calathes, FC Barcelona guard:

“We wanted to end on a good note. We weren’t happy with our first game, but we wanted to finish strong at the Final Four and now hopefully win the Spanish league. It was difficult when you come here, you’re first all year and believe you’re the best team. But that’s sports, nothing is guaranteed. It’s disappointing but hopefully, we can win the Spanish league.”

### Sertac Sanli, FC Barcelona center:

"In this tournament, the Third Place Game is really hard to play. I think in this team everybody is professional and we had to get ready mentally, and it was a good basketball match. We played a good basketball match. This win will maybe give us a little bit of morale before the ACB playoffs. Everybody thinks too much about two days ago. It is better to look forward; we have the ACB playoffs and have to focus on that. I hope we win the league. The atmosphere was completely amazing. It felt like we were playing a game in Piraeus. They have really good fans, we have really good fans, and it was a great atmosphere. It's good to play in this kind of atmosphere, especially after the losses both teams had two days ago. Maybe because of the fans, we saw some good basketball."

### Kostas Sloukas, Olympiacos Piraeus guard:

"Fans are amazing, that is the first thing that comes to mind. Not just here in Belgrade, the whole year. They helped us a lot to get here and I am so proud of our fans because they are our sixth player. This game was tough, very difficult because our mind was on that last shot and the way we lost against Efes. We fought, but they fought, too and they won. Now we have to finish the season strong in the Greek championship."

### Thomas Walkup, Olympiacos Piraeus guard:

"The Third Place Game is always weird. You are not really fighting for anything but you are honoring the game of basketball. And because they showed up like this, we were also honoring the fans. It would be a shame to not show up and play as hard as we can because throughout the EuroLeague season, they have been there backing us every single game. It wouldn't be doing them justice if we didn't come out and play as hard as we could. That's what we tried to do today, as a 'thank you'. Our goal at the beginning of the year was the Final Four. That changed a little bit once we got here and felt like a little bit of an opportunity slipped, to be honest. I don't think we will ever play the Final Four in front of 12,000 of our own fans again. So I think disappointed is the right word, that we didn't come away with the championship. It did feel like an amazing opportunity. That's life."

Here are the thoughts of the protagonists after the third place game between Barcelona and Olympiacos

Sarunas Jasikevicius - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21-3rd

Nick Calathes added another record to his impressive resume with a 13-assist performance in FC Barcelona’s 84-74 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus in the Third-Place Game on Saturday. 

Calathes sets Final Four assist record

Calathes totaled 22 assists at the Final Four, which bested the mark set by Facu Campazzo of Real Madrid at the 2019 Final Four in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. His 13 assists were second-most in a Final Four game only to Campazzo’s 15-assist effort from the 2019 Third-Place Game. 

The competition’s all-time leader in assists, Calathes took his career total to 1,711. Calathes is the only player in the past decade to record a triple-double in EuroLeague action and he flirted with another by amassing 9 points and 8 rebounds together with his 13 assists against Olympiacos. 

Nick Calathes - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21-3rd

### FanZone finishes strong with community broadcast of the final!

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone has been filled with fans the past three days, and for all those in Belgrade without a ticket for the Saturday's main event at Stark Arena, it is also a place to be when Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes Istanbul face off for the trophy, because everyone can watch the game together on a jumbo screen at the main court in Savski Square.

Ever since it opened its doors on Thursday morning, the FanZone at Belgrade's Savski Square has been full of fans, many wearing the jerseys of their favorite teams.

The red of Olympiacos Piraeus was the dominant color, but the fans of Efes, Madrid and FC Barcelona also showed up in big numbers.

Of course, tens of thousands Serbian basketball lovers have also enjoyed the FanZone, winning prizes and participating in many activities at more than a dozen stands and pavilions set up by Euroleague Basketball sponsors and partners.

A centrally located Turkish Airlines pavilion is where you can measure your hang time, while 7DAYS has set up several baskets where you can challenge your friends to a shootout, or take a picture with a EuroLeague trophy. BKT challenges fans to prove their skills and EuroLeague knowledge with a series of tests, while adidas set up baskets to attempt the craziest basketball shots.

Vodavoda set up a heightened hoop, Tehnomanija allows fans to challenge each other to a mini-basket shootout, while Lasko has set up a laser room where the fans can win prizes.

All of that is open at Savski Square throughout the day Saturday as we get closer to the championship game, which will be shown live!

### Pretty in pink: Mega beat NGS celebrate first ANGT crown

U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade became the 11th club to win the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title by knocking off U18 Next Generation Select Team 82-61 in the 2022 ANGT Championship Game.

It was third time lucky for the Serbian team, which had lost in the finale in 2017 and 2019 but gained control of the game in the Hala Sportova Ranko Zeravica with a 14-0 fourth quarter run. Nikola Djurisic scored 10 of his team-high 21 points in the big late run.

In the annuls of ANGT history, Mega joins other champions U18 Real Madrid, U18 CSKA Moscow (both three crowns), U18 Zalgiris Kaunas, U18 FMP Belgrade, U18 PFYM INSEP Paris, U18 Rytas Vilnius (all two), U18 FC Barcelona, U18 Crvena Zvedzda mts Belgrade, U18 KK Zagreb and U18 Joventut Badalona.

### Biserka Petrovic, a very special guest

Many basketball fans have attended the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, but Biserka Petrovic is a truly special one. His son, the late Drazen Petrovic, was one of the most dominant players in European basketball history, and many claim he is the biggest talent ever seen in the continent. A groundbreaking pioneer, Petrovic was a two-time EuroLeague champion with Cibona Zagreb, scored 62 points to lead Real Madrid to the Saporta Cup title in 1989, and was also very successful in the NBA and with both the Yugoslavian and Croatian national team before he tragically passed away in a car accident in 1993. 

Biserka is enjoying the Final Four a lot, and it is not her first time around. "I attended the 2018 Final Four. I feel like at home, because where there's basketball, that's my home. I have been into basketball my whole life," she said, speaking wonders about the semifinals. "The atmosphere was wonderful. My grandson and I enjoyed the semifinals a lot and we took a lot of pictures. Barcelona and Real Madrid should have played the final!"

Asked about the team she roots for in the final, it is obviously Real, as her son played for Los Blancos in the 1988-89 season. "Absolutely, absolutely. Many Spanish fans visit the Drazen Petrovic museum in Zagreb, and remember him, which is beautiful. It is very emotional. They called him 'El Niño' (the kid)."

### ANGT players put on a show in shootout, dunk contest

Friday night shined a bright light on some of the stars of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals at the annual three-point shootout and slam dunk contest. Held at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone in Savski Square, a large turnout of local fans turned up to see tomorrows start put on a show. 

Lazar Gagic of U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade took home the trophy from the three-point contest, while Eric Dailey impressed judges Joe Arlauckas, Dejan Tomasevic and Ivica Zubac to capture the slam dunk crown. Dailey’s show-stopping dunk was a one-handed windmill while he was recording it with a cell phone in his other!

### Nikos Zisis: Spanoulis coaching is great for the game

After some two decades of competing with and against one another across the world, Nikos Zisis and Vassilis Spanoulis are best friends and godfather's too each other's children.

Zisis came to Belgrade to watch Spanoulis coach the U18 Next Generation Select Team at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals and believes his friend believes has the makings to become a great pro coach, if he so chooses.

"It's strange," the 2008 EuroLeague champion said while watching Spanoulis patrol the sidelines at the ANGT Finals. "Honestly, I believe he can become a great, great coach."

But that wasn't always the case.

"Maybe five years ago I wouldn't have said he he has a coach's mentality, but over the last one-two years, in the many talks I've have with him, I realized that he can do it. He has a coach's perspective. He loves the game. Basketball is like a virus for him. He needs to sit and think and talk about basketball all day long. I believe it will be great for the game if he decides to do it."

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Euroleague Basketball Legend Vassilis Spanoulis was in attendance last night for the <a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#F4GLORY</a> <br><br>And everyone loved it... <a href=https://t.co/80EexoHgrf>pic.twitter.com/80EexoHgrf</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href=https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527581589923831810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>May 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script> 

A 17-year EuroLeague veteran with seven teams, Zisis said the NGS players have a great advantage to be learning from Spanoulis.
 
"I think it's great for these kids to have Vassilis Spanoulis as a coach. They don't have many days to spend with him but there are many things that Vassilis can tell them. I know he talks about all of his great experiences from the past and all the great things he has accomplished," he said.

### The finalists speak at the Championship Game Press Conference

Scant hours after acing their semifinals, protagonists of the teams that will battle for the Euroleague trophy in Belgrade on Saturday appeared at the Championship Game press conference on Friday to discuss the final with the hundreds of international media at the Final Four.

Real Madrid head coach Pablo Laso confirmed that Nigel Williams-Goss, who was injured in the first minute on Friday, will not play in the championship game, and likened it to Anadolu Efes Istanbul coach Ergin Ataman, seated beside him, losing veteran Kruno Simon to injury in the last practice before the team came to Belgrade.

"Ergin and I, we had we had problems, that's for sure. But we are here: period," Laso said. "I think that right now I am in a great position because I am here talking to you. I hoped for this from the beginning of the season."

For his part, Ataman revealed that his own son is a Real Madrid supporter – but only in football, of course.

"In Turkey, there are a lot of fans of Real Madrid. And one of them is my son," the Efes coach said. "He is a member of the junior Real Madrid fan club. Every year we receive a gift from them."

Vasilije Micic, last season's Final Four MVP and the author of the game-winning shot on Friday, said his team can draw inspiration from their famed Spanish opponents. 

"What I like the best, when someone talks about Real Madrid and tradition and the winning mentality they have, I think that we have done that in the past four years," Micic said, "and I am very happy to be a part of this story with Efes."

The newcomer to the dais was Real forward Guerschon Yabusele, who also starred on Friday, but until a year and a half ago had not ever been a EuroLeague player.

"I just feel grateful," Yabusele said. "I am just enjoying every day of my life, trying to get better and learn every day from the peple around me: players, coaches, family, friends. I am just glad and happy to be part of his organization and part of this team."

### Media, Platinum ticket holders take center court 

Action resumed at Stark Arena on Friday morning with the traditional Adidas EuroLeague Media Game, followed by the Euroleague Basketball Platinum & Ambassadors Game. 

There were a lot of well-known faces in the media day. Former EuroLeague champion Ibrahim Kutluay and former EuroLeague player Vladimir Kuzmanovic led the Black Team, coached by 2020-21 7DAYS EuroCup champion Zvezdan Mitrovic. There were four former professional players in the White Team: former EuroLeague and EuroCup champion Dejan Tomasevic, Miroslav Beric, Berni Rodriguez and Dora Panteli, all led by current Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade head coach Dejan Radonjic. The Whites won 40-39 in overtime with a game-sealing free throw by Rodriguez. 

In the platinum & ambassadors Game, 1997 Final Four MVP David Rivers and three-time Alphonso Ford Top Scoring trophy winner Igor Rakocevic led each team. At the end of each game, played in 10-minuted halves, the teams took a group picture to remember the moment. Rakocevic and sports agent Misko Raznatovic each had 11 points to lead their team to a 39-36 win. 

### After dramatic semis, focus shifts to finale 

Perspective is everything. And so was the case with the EuroLeague Semifinals, which set the stage for perhaps even bigger drama in the title-decider on Saturday night.

A newcomer to European basketball would surely gush at the events of Thursday night at Stark Arena. Two games that went to the wire in front of a packed house with loud, boisterous fans. Heroic efforts from superstars and role players alike. High-level basketball for 80 minutes. A grizzled veteran of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague might wink and say, “just another typical night at the EuroLeague Semifinals.”

The two semifinal games decided by a grand total of 6 points is the second-lowest margin of victory in the semis on record. The lowest was just last season when FC Barcelona edged AX Armani Exchange Milan by 2 and Anadolu Efes Istanbul bested CSKA Moscow by 3. Indeed, drama in the semifinals has become the norm.

And with that as the backdrop, the focus in Belgrade will quickly shift to Saturday night’s main event, Real Madrid vs. Efes for all the marbles. It will be the first game since the EuroLeague adopted a season-long round-robin format that neither of the finalists finished among the top three in the regular-season standings, but rest assured these are worthy contenders. 

After all, they collectively took out those top three teams with No. 6 Efes KO’ing No. 3 Milan in the playoffs and No. 2 Olympiacos Piraeus last night while No. 4 Real disposed of the top regular-season team, Barcelona, in Thursday’s second semifinal. 

Over the next 36 hours, countless words will be written about this championship game, analyzing it from all angles, dissecting their previous meetings, parsing words spoken by players and coaches. And then we will get to the biggest game of the season. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for.

### Semifinals are here!

The day has finally arrived! The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four gets underway with both semifinals, Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul and FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. All EuroLeague fans have been waiting for this moment for a long time. All teams practiced and are ready to go. Olympiacos fans are all around the arena, wearing their red and white uniforms with a lot of pride, but there many Efes fans around, too. A great atmosphere is guaranteed when the ball goes up in the air - Stark Arena, one of the biggest basketball arenas in the worlds, is sold out. 

As always, we will be covering the game on [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net). Our Game Blog will be active before the start of the first semifinals until we know which two teams made it to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game on Saturday. Stay tuned for inside information, game analysis, exclusive footage and much more. Finally, it's Final Four time! Good luck to all four teams!

### FanZone open for business

It's Semifinals Thursday at the Final Four, which also means the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone has opened its doors. Located at the spacious Savski Square, along the trendy Belgrade waterfront, the FanZone will once again be the Final Four's starting point for fans of all ages.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock over the next three days to the FanZone where everyone will be able to participate in a wide array of activities. Thanks to Euroleague Basketball partners Turkish Airlines, 7DAYS, BKT, Adidas and many more, the visitors will be able to do a variety of things at more than a dozen stands and pavilions set up in the FanZone. The activities range from measuring hang time and testing basketball knowledge to taking photos with the EuroLeague trophy or recording a video with some EuroLeague stars. Fans will also be able to buy merchandise and souvenirs, win prizes, see some of the Euroleague Basketball legends and – of course – shoot hoops.

The non-stop fun will be highlighted with One Team activities and a 3x3 tournament. And for those not lucky enough to have a ticket for the games at the Stark Arena, the FanZone will also be a great place to watch the Final Four games on a jumbo screen.

Make sure not to miss the FanZone!

### Laprovittola’s moustache grows… on the wall

FC Barcelona arrived at Stark Arena as a team for the first time on Thursday evening to practice on the court. When they arrived at the locker-room, the players marveled at the supersized head shots of each player at his locker. Since those headshots were taken at the team’s preseason media day, there is always the possibility that a player or two might look a little different.

Such is the case with Barca guard Nicolas Laprovittola, who over the course of the season has groomed an impressive mustache. When Laprovittola was not in the room, an unnamed teammate took matters into his hands to “improve” Laprovittola’s photo by scribbling on a mustache. Does the light-hearted atmosphere speak well about the mental state of the Barca players? We’ll know more tomorrow!

### French stars meet up

There was a buzz even before Real Madrid met with reporters. Los Blancos filled their locker room and the hallway with players signing balls and meeting dignitaries. In that time, Olympiacos center Moustapha Fall walked by and ran into his countryman and national teammate Vincent Poirier of Real Madrid. The two, who helped Les Bleus to the silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, embraced and chatted for a few minutes before Fall headed to the showers and Poirier to the mixed zone where he would meet with reporters before his team’s practice. It was a nice moment between friends who could yet meet in the paint on Sunday.

### Schortsanitis interviews his former team

Olympiacos Piraeus was the next team to pass through the mixed zone and meet the media ahead of its practice at Stark Arena. While there were hundreds of journalists eager to meet the players, one of them stood out above the rest. He is former EuroLeague champion and All-EuroLeague First Team selection Sofoklis Schortsanitis.

"Big Sofo" is in Belgrade on assignment for a Greek television station and was curious to hear what some of his former teammates had to say. Schortsanitis, who played for the Reds from 2005 to 2010, had Georgios Printezis as well as the very young Kostas Papanikolaou and Kostas Sloukas as teammates there and on the Greek national team.

### Efes meets the press before practice

Reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Anadolu Efes Istanbul was the first team to meet the press in the mixed zone before their Wednesday practice at Stark Arena. All the players and Coach Ergin Ataman were available for interviews about the big game against Olympiacos Piraeus tomorrow. Additionally, Elijah Bryant and last season's Final Four MVP Vasilije Micic were interviewed online for all media who could not attend the event.

Semifinal pre-game quotes: Vasilije Micic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

"Even when people know we are known as an offensive team, in the last four playoffs game against Milan we showed a great part of our defensive ability, which gave us an extra boost," Micic said, perhaps foretelling a key to that semifinal.

Micic singled out Tyler Dorsey as one player who could be especially dangerous. "He is a very talented guy with a lot of points in his hands," he said. "Sasha Vezenkov is also a really unique player, very smart, a very clever guy to read the game."

### MVP Mirotic calls out Calathes in speech

The highlight of the annual EuroLeague awards ceremony is always the naming of the MVP. This season, one of the winner’s teammates saw it coming and worked his way into the speech. After Nikola Mirotic received the MVP trophy from coaching legend Zeljko Obradovic, he grabbed the microphone to share his thoughts.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The MVP did not forget about his teammate <a href="https://twitter.com/Nick_Calathes15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nick_Calathes15</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/Uqq9LuyZTd">pic.twitter.com/Uqq9LuyZTd</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1526887142022123520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“A couple of weeks ago, my dear fiend Nick Calathes said in case you win, please remember me in your speech, so I said to him I will,” Mirotic revealed to the smiles of all on hand, including their coach, Sarunas Jasikevicius. Mirotic got a little more serious before adding: “I also want to thank Nick because he makes my life way easier on the court and he’s been an amazing teammate and friend.”

Mirotic’s full comments can be read [here](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/2021-22-turkish-airlines-euroleague-mvp-nikola-mirotic-fc-barcelona/).

### ANGT Finals underway!

If the semifinals and the championship game at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four are the main course, the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals are a tasty appetizer. The ANGT Finals are underway with U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade and U18 PFYM INSEP Paris in action in the first game at Hala Sportova Ranko Zeravica. The tournament will feature 12 games through Friday and the winners of each group will square of on Saturday in the championship game. For more information on the games, check out [www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt](http://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt).

### Barcelona’s arrival completes the foursome

We can now turn the page from Final Four anticipation to the count down for the tip-off. With the arrival of FC Barcelona, all the teams have checked in! Interestingly, the first Barca man into the hotel was Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who looked like a general leading his troops. Last in was Euroleague Legend Juan Carlos Navarro, who now serves as the director of Barcelona’s basketball section. In between, the roster filled in and a few of them had some interesting thoughts.

The experience was an unusual one for Sertac Sanli, who lifted the crown last season as an Anadolu Efes Istanbul player and saw many old friends as he entered the hotel. "I am really excited! I didn't know how I would react after I see them," he said. “It is going to be fun! I am trying to enjoy being in the Final Four, being in Belgrade. It is going to be different for me.”

One of the few Final Four newcomers on the Barcelona squad is Nigel Hayes-Davies, who had the following to say: “Some of the guys have been here before, some of the guys have won before. For a couple of us, it’s the first one. It's an exciting time. It is an honor and privilege to be here. In basketball, you work throughout your career to win championships, and to be here and have an opportunity to do that is something that you cherish because the championships and winning is not guaranteed in our sport... So all we can focus on is playing Barcelona basketball and if we do that for 40 minutes, we'll see what happens.”

Of course, there is still much more to happen until the first game on Thursday. Wednesday will bring about the awards ceremony, where this season’s MVP will be crowned; the opening press conference; team practices at Stark Arena and more. Check back on these pages for more updates as they happen.

Nick Calathes - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Alex Abrines - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Sarunas Jasikevicius - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Nigel Hayes-Davis - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Sertac Sanli - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Rokas Jokubaitis - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022

### Los Blancos strut into Belgrade

The award for the best-dressed arrivals goes to Real Madrid, hands down. Los Blancos checked into the Final Four wearing identical sleek black suits and ties with sharp white shirts. Although they could have passed for members of the Men in Black, the Madrid men are not concerned about protecting earth from extraterrestrial life, but rather protecting the paint from their opponents.

"Having experience in this event helps. When you are a first-timer, you have more anxiety in the before the games and experience helps you feel better on the court - hopefully better than in my first time," Real forward Gabriel Deck said. "As a team, we try to face each game in the same way, with the same intensity and character, but this is a Final Four game. It is a do-or-die game and the pressure is on but that goes the same for all four teams in Belgrade. All of them are here with the same goal: making it to the final and lifting the trophy."

"It's really exciting \[to be here\]. We are really enjoying the moment, but we are here to win, so we don't have to enjoy it too much, as the main reason we are here is to compete," Vincent Poirier added. "We feel good, we are doing great. I think we are playing the best basketball of this season. We are confident and we are ready."

Jeffery Taylor - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Pablo Laso - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Guerschon Yabusele - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Alberto Abalde - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Adam Hanga - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Rudy Fernandez - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Vincent Poirier - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022

### The champs roll into town

Half of the participating teams at the 2022 Final Four are checked in with the arrival of defending champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul. The team’s arrival was slightly delayed when the skies opened up and poured down as Efes was landing in Belgrade. Nonetheless, the players and staff were all smiles as they encountered all those waiting for them in the lobby of the headquarters hotel.

Despite the presence of Efes’s star-studded roster, it was an 8-year-old boy who stole the show. Filip, a Partizan NIS Belgrade fan who has quickly adopted Efes as his favorite in the EuroLeague, was decked out in a No. 44 Krunoslav Simon jersey, which he patiently waited and asked Efes players to sign and to pose for photos with him. Soon, all of the assembled media saw Filip and turned their attention to his exploits.

“It is always nice to see kids wearing your jersey because sports is all about that, to see them interested in the sport and this is the best thing about the sport,” Simon said. “I am glad he is an Efes fan. This is a big club. We might not have as many fans as some clubs that have soccer teams, but I think it is good to have all kinds of fans of our club from all over.”

Bryant Dunston, after seeing Filip and some other Efes supporters there to welcome his team, spoke about the return of fans to the Final Four: "It was weird playing the last game of last season with no fans there - winning, celebrating, jumping up and down, and then looking around and there was nobody there... Hopefully, we are going to have that same result but with the fans there."

Adrien Moerman - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Shane Larkin - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Ergin  Ataman - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Krunoslav Simon - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Chris Singleton - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022

### Olympiacos arrival signifies start of Final Four!

The arrival of Olympiacos Piraeus to the headquarters hotel in Belgrade symbolized the lighting of the torch for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. The other three teams will join them shortly, but the Reds had the honor of opening the proceedings. Select members of the media were allowed to pepper players with questions about their arrival.

One Olympiacos player looked a bit trimmer than before. Big man Livio Jean-Charles trimmed his beard: "Yes! It was just a choice of haircut, but definitely, I shaved the beard!" he said. "I am excited, for sure. There are a lot of talented players who have never made it to the Final Four in their careers, so I am pretty glad to be here."

Kostas Papanikolaou, who is among the Reds’ most-experienced players, added: “It does not matter how many \[Final Fours\] you had before, each one coming is new, it's beautiful and you want to take the best out of it… The most important thing that I said to the guys is to enjoy it. You never know if you are going to be able to have an experience like this in your life.”

Hassan Martin and Shaquielle McKissic - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Thomas Walkup - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Kostas Papanikolaou - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Sotirios Oikonomopoulos - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022

Welcome to the Final Four blog! The EuroLeague staff will be on the ground covering all of the big events in Belgrade and sharing what’s going on behind the scenes all week long.

Final Four live blog: FanZone finishes strong with community broadcast of the final!

Hassan Martin and Shaquielle McKissic - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Thomas Walkup - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Kostas Papanikolaou - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Sotirios Oikonomopoulos - Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Thomas Walkup 2- Olympiacos Piraeus - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Adrien Moerman - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Shane Larkin - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Ergin  Ataman - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Krunoslav Simon - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Shane Larkin 2- Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Chris Singleton - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Jeffery Taylor - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Pablo Laso - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Guerschon Yabusele - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Alberto Abalde - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Adam Hanga - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Rudy Fernandez - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Vincent Poirier - Real Madrid - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Alex Abrines - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Nick Calathes - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Sarunas Jasikevicius - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Nigel Hayes-Davis - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Sertac Sanli - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Rokas Jokubaitis - FC Barcelona - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Adrien Moerman - Anadolu Efes Istanbul practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Krunoslav Simon - Anadolu Efes Istanbul practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Ergin Ataman 2- Anadolu Efes Istanbul practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Rodrigue Beaubois 2- Anadolu Efes Istanbul practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Filip Petrusev - Anadolu Efes Istanbul practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Sasha Vezenkov - Olympiacos Piraeus practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Olympiacos Piraeus practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Shaquielle McKissic - Olympiacos Piraeus practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Georgios Bartzokas - Olympiacos Piraeus practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Sofoklis Schortsanitis 2- Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Players FC Barcelona practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Sertac Sanli - FC Barcelona practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Cory Higgins - FC Barcelona practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Kyle Kuric - FC Barcelona practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Vincent Poirier - Real Madrid practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Jeffery Taylor - Real Madrid practices - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Fans Olympiacos Piraeus 2- Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Platinum and Ambassadors Game - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Championship Game Press Conference 3- Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21