The last two games between Olympiacos Piraeus and Anadolu Efes Istanbul were solved with buzzer-beating three-pointers. Efes, however, took the most important win. 

Micic, Efes returns buzzer-beating favor

Efes qualified to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game by downing Olympiacos Piraeus 74-77. Vasilije Micic buried a three-pointer right at the buzzer to get Efes closer to defend the EuroLeague title. Kostas Sloukas fed Hassan Martin for a layup that tied the game, 74-74, with 19.5 seconds left, but Micic took matters into his own hands. Efes called timeout and Elijah Bryant inbounded the ball to Micic. Facing Thomas Walkup one-on-one, he took advantage of a great screen by Adrien Moerman eight meters away from the rim which forced Olympiacos to switch defenders. Micic took Sasha Vezenkov one-on-one, went to his left, stopped, popped and downed the game-winning shot.  

"I don't think we won at the buzzer in all the time we played together," Efes center Bryant Dunston said after the game. "We hit some last-second shots but this, at the biggest moment, was just an amazing play."

Olympiacos had beaten Efes at the buzzer at Peace and Friendship Stadium in regular season Round 26. The roles were reversed that time. Efes had led 84-85 late in overtime when Micic missed a driving layup. Sloukas grabbed the rebound, raced downcourt, passed the basketball to Shaquielle McKissic, who found him again in the left corner, faked to make Adrien Moerman fly past him and pulled the trigger to win the game. The play was chosen by EuroLeague fans as the 7DAYS Magic Moment of the 2021-22 season. 

Micic remembered that loss as he was preparing his game-winner on Friday.  

Micic, Efes return buzzer-beating favor

Olympiacos Piraeus v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2022-05-19T16:00:00.000Z)

Vasilije Micic - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - E21-FFS

In a semifinals drama on Thursday night at the Stark Arena, Anadolu Efes Istanbul tied an all-time Final Four record for three-pointers made.


Key stat: Efes shoots its way into the championship game

In a 74-77 win over Olympiacos Piraeus, the reigning Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champs hit 14 three-point shots, tying the all-time Final Four mark. Efes was firing from long range the entire night, its 34 attempts being the second most in the semifinal behind only 45 by Montepaschi Siena in 2008.

Efes has done most of the damage from the outside in the first three quarters. Specifically, between the 3:10 mark of the first quarter and a 5:50 mark of the third, Efes made 11 of its 15 three-point attempts. Those helped turn a 14-7 deficit into a 48-57 lead.

Micic's impact went far beyond his game-winner

Anadolu Efes Istanbul will continue to fight for the first back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague titles in almost a decade after registering a thrilling 74-77 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus in the first semifinal on Friday at the Final Four in Belgrade. Vasilije Micic, last season's Final Four MVP, broke a tie with a step-back three-pointer from the top of the circle on the buzzer to win it.

Vasilije Micic sends Efes to the Championship Game with a wild three-pointer - WOW!

7DAYS Magic Moment of the Night: Micic wins it!

Larkin led Efes with 21 points, while Bryant added 16, Micic 15 and Bryant Dunston 12. Olympiacos got 12 points from Shaquielle McKissic and 11 from Dorsey, all after halftime for both players. Sloukas and Martin got their 11th point each in the final 61 seconds, and Kostas Papanikolaou scored 10

Moustapha Fall opened the Final Four with an inside basket for the Reds that Shane Larkin answered with the first three-pointer of the night. Efes kept trying from long range, but unsuccessfully, which Olympiacos exploited to get a 10-5 edge based on the duo of Thomas Walkup and Fall. Kostas Papanikolaou capped an 8-0 run over almost 4 minutes to extend the lead to 12-5 right before a timeout. Efes brought in Bryant Dunston to help stop Fall, and the veteran center scored 5 points in a row, including a rare triple, to revive the Efes offense. Larkin and Elijah Bryant struck from downtown, too, before Vasilije Micic scored a layup to bring Efes ahead 14-18. Kostas Sloukas and Papanikolaou stepped up in response for Olympiacos, combining for 7 points that closed the first period with the Reds leading 21-18.

Hassan Martin and Sloukas boosted Olympiacos early in the second quarter, while Elijah Bryant was the only one able to contribute on offense for Efes. As such, the Reds found no trouble in staying ahead, 29-24. Larkin came to the rescue for Efes with a triple and a pick-and-roll play that Tibor Pleiss finished with a tap-in that made it all square, 29-29. Olympiacos prevented the defending champs from completing their comeback thanks to Shaquielle McKissic and Martin, who boosted the Reds in front again, 38-32. Efes managed to find Micic outside and he nailed a couple of threes that turned the tables in favor of Efes, 41-42. McKissic provided a fastbreak layup entering the last minute, however, to allow the Reds to hold a 43-42 halftime edge.

Bryant returned the lead to Efes from behind the arc right after the break, 43-45. Micic went to the line right before Chris Singleton drilled a three and Larkin scored off the dribble to force an urgent Olympiacos timeout at 45-51. Papanikolau tried to stop the bleeding for the Reds with a three-pointer, but Bryant responded with back-to-back bombs and Dunston detonated a dunk that pushed Efes up by 48-59, the game's first double-digit lead. Dorsey took the reins in offense with 5 points in a row, as Vezenkov hit his first three of game to spark Olympiacos. Efes then looked for its frontcourt on offense, but it was not enough to slow down the Reds. A layup by Vezenkov and a buzzer-beating step-back trey by Dorsey made it a thriller again, 63-66, entering the fourth quarter.


The difference remained steady as Singleton and Sloukas swapped buckets right before Larkin returned to his scoring ways to make it 65-70. Olympiacos again found McKissic, who first added a couple of free throws then dropped a layup that got the Reds within 69-70 with 6 minutes remaining. Nerves took over as the atmosphere got hotter, with just a single free throw for each side in the next 2 minutes. Pless hit twice from the foul line and Larkin added another free throw to give Efes some air, 70-74, entering crunch time. Olympiacos didn't wave the white flag, though, as Sloukas made free throws at 72-74 and fed Martin for a game-tying layup with 19.5 seconds left. The final answer came from Micic, who hit the buzzer with a jumper that sent Efes to the final.

Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four drama was served up in the very first game as last season's MVP detonated a game-winning three-pointer just ahead of the final buzzer for the defending champions. 

Micic decides first semi for Efes, 74-77!

Anadolu Efes Istanbul celebrates 3- Final Four Belgrade 2022 - E21-FFS

This is what the protagonists had to say after the Final Four semifinal showdown between Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid.

Post-game quotes: Olympiacos vs. Efes

### Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach: 

“First of all, I want to say congratulations to my good friend Bartzokas. It’s very bad luck for them. This buzzer shot, it’s better to stay on the winning side. They made a great game, congratulations to Olympiacos club and fans, they made an incredible atmosphere here. They are a very strong club, good club. The game was amazing, up and down. We didn’t start well, but in the second half, we took control and led by 10, 11 points. But we got tired, especially Larkin got some problem in his knee. He got tired, Micic got tired, we missed a lot of shots, a lot of penetration to close the game, and Olympiacos came back. Finally, it was a very difficult game, but now one more for back to back.”

### Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach: 

“Both teams had pressure, it was a tight game as we expected. One or two decisions, one or two crucial shots. And of course the last one was very tough for us. Congratulations to Efes. I cannot complain about anything with our players. We gave everything. We had a little more pressure than we should, but this is basketball.”

### Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard:

“I don’t know what to say. Tough game, unbelievable game, unbelievable atmosphere. Big shout to my guy, number 22. Big shot, home town – couldn’t write a better script. Happy to be back in the final, we just gotta stay focused. Enjoy this one tonight and focus tomorrow on whoever we play and try to get another championship. Elijah stepped up amazing tonight. I’ve said for four years that we have a great team, a lot of players who can step up at different times. Tonight it was Elijah, he played with confidence in his first Final Four. We needed that, and it was amazing. Happy for him, let’s keep going. These games are just amazing games, they go up and down, rollercoaster ride. You gotta stay focused, stay together, we pulled it out again and now we gotta focus on getting another championship.”

### Vasilije Micic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard:

“This situation was very similar to the last game of the regular season when I made a mistake and attacked too early. So I think I learned from that situation. I kept believing that maybe this shot at the end would go in. Me and Shane are never jealous of each other for who takes the last shot, I’m very happy when he makes it. Today it was in my hands and I’m very happy that I made it.”

### Tibor Pleiss, Anadolu Efes Istanbul center:

"\[Being in the Championship Game\] is very special for us. We deserve it and I am really proud of my team. \[Micic\] took responsibility and I am very happy that he made the shot. I wasn't thinking so much; I prepared myself for the shot, if he wouldn't be open, I was ready in the corner. He made it and made some history. The Final Four is different, of course. Olympiacos played an amazing season and they can be proud as well. They didn't make it easy for us. The plan was to make the three-pointers and it went pretty well! They played really hard defense, really physical. They made it very difficult for us. They didn't give us open shots most of the time, always had a hand in our face. They played great defense and in general, had a great game. I think both teams deserved it, but we made a shot in the last second."

### Bryant Dunston, Anadolu Efes Istanbul center:

“It was crazy. We knew it was going to be a tough game, every time we play against them is a close game, so it was great to win like this, with the last-second shot. Great players make great plays. It’s amazing to play with him, it makes things much easier for you, but it’s all the team, all the guys. We understand each other, we know how to play with each other, and we feel we can repeat.”

### Chris Singleton, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward:

“It was amazing, winning with that last shot. It was our aim to be back, and we are so happy we are in a position that we can win the championship. I’m looking forward to watching the next game and getting ready.”

### Adrien Moerman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward:

"It was a tough game. For 40 minutes, we played intense on both sides of the court. Vasa \[Micic\] made the difference - he made a tough shot. For me, it was not a tough shot because he made this kind of shot all season. I am happy for him and for the team. We are a great shooting team and also broke the club record \[for most three-pointers\] during the season, against Maccabi. This is our team, everybody can shoot. This is part of our beautiful team."

### Shaquielle McKissic, Olympiacos Piraeus guard:

“It was tough. It was one of those shots, one of those players you cannot stop. Despite the loss, I feel proud of my team, we are here, but it was really painful how we lost the game.”

### Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos Piraeus forward: 

“I don’t have words to say now. We feel bad for the loss, all the team, we didn’t play well in the second half, especially on offense. But this is basketball, and we have to keep going."

Ergin Ataman - Anadolu Efes Istanbul - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - E21-FFS

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ergin Ataman had this to say after the game...<br><br>One more, until <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> go back-to-back 🏆 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/lwP3xjf5fu">pic.twitter.com/lwP3xjf5fu</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527349850194399243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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="es" dir="ltr">Vasa! 🤝 <a href="https://t.co/cSef38KL2e">https://t.co/cSef38KL2e</a></p>&mdash; Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderOfHorde/status/1527346932099665924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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">Amazing game! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> Vasaaaaa 🤯🤯🤯🤯👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a></p>&mdash; Danilo Andjusic (@Djusa33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Djusa33/status/1527345876020056066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Anadolu Efes Istanbul center

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sheeeshhhhhh 😤 That&#39;s cold blooded Micic</p>&mdash; Jordan Loyd (@mrjloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjloyd/status/1527346061375062016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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">For the Game!! Big shot</p>&mdash; Isaiah Canaan (@SiP03) <a href="https://twitter.com/SiP03/status/1527346016353067008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Micic wins it!

It came down to the final possession and Efes knew what it wanted to do. The champs gave the ball to the 2020-21 EuroLeague MVP and Vasa Micic did not disappoint them. He dribbled to wind the clock down while scanning the court and then pulled up for a three that fell through the rim with 0.2 seconds left to win. It at first appeared to be a buzzer-beater, but a clock review added 0.2 seconds for Olympiacos, but there was little the Reds could do and Sloukas’s prayer at the buzzer was not answered.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vasilije Micic takes <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnadoluEfesSK</a> TO THE FINAL!!!<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/L96JNFocgV">pic.twitter.com/L96JNFocgV</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527345736332955666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Will missed free throws prove costly?

Micic and Larkin combined to make just 1 of 4 free throws as they looked to close out the game. Sloukas, after drawing Singleton’s 5th foul with 1:01 to play, made 2 to bring Olympiacos within 72-74. Then Hassan Martin tied it with a layup. We’re going to the wire!

### Dunston fouls out

Bryant Dunston was called for his 5th foul with exactly 5 minutes to play. He finished with 12 points on near-perfect shooting, 1 rebound and 1 block in 21 minutes. 

Singleton has 4 fouls and Micic and Elijah Bryant each have 3. The only Olympiacos player with more than 2 is Vezenkov (3).

### The pressure is mounting

After a layup by McKissic got Olympiacos within 1 at 69-70, both teams committed turnovers. Pleiss dropped a pass from Micic in the paint and Dorsey overthrew a pass in transition. Coach Bartzokas called timeout to settle the troops. With 6:21 to play, it’s anyone’s game in the EuroLeague Semifinals! Are you not entertained?!?!?!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Big 4th coming up</p>&mdash; Mike James (@TheNatural_05) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNatural_05/status/1527337858767282182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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> Yarı Final <br>Olympiacos 63 - 66 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/xT2dpFAue9">pic.twitter.com/xT2dpFAue9</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1527337292041703425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Vezenkov makes Reds roar

Despite trailing by double digits, Olympiacos was not about to fall apart. The Reds trimmed the deficit and when Vezenkov drained a triple – his first points of the night – to get within 56-62, the crowd was roaring again. He added a layup in the final minute of the quarter before Dorsey beat the third-quarter buzzer with a triple to make it 63-66.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tyler Dorsey beats the third-quarter buzzer with a wild step-back three🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a> <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/lwVLZJx4pC">pic.twitter.com/lwVLZJx4pC</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527338376151457810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Bryant heats up as Efes pads lead

Back-to-back threes by Elijah Bryant gave Efes its biggest lead of the game so far, 48-57, and suddenly the pockets of Efes fans dotting Stark Arena could be heard screaming above their Olympiacos counterparts. A strong run of play by Bryant has Efes in control.

### Dorsey (finally) gets on the board for Olympiacos

Tyler Dorsey’s jumper in the second minute of the third quarter marked his first points of the game. Olympiacos’s top two scorers this season, Dorsey and All-EuroLeague forward Sasha Vezenkov, were held scoreless in the first half. The Reds survived thanks to 24 points off the bench, but they will try to get those stars going here in the second.  

### A different look for Efes

Efes opens the second half with a different look as Elijah Bryant, Chris Singleton and Bryant Dunston join starters Larkin and Micic on the floor. Olympiacos has the same 5 that started the game. A three by Bryant to start the second half scoring has Efes back on top.

Olympiacos Piraeus guard

“We have to be tougher and play smarter.”

Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard

“We've got to keep down the turnovers and pick up our defensive intensity.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Halftime, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> – Anadolu Efes 43-42 <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/OLYEFS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYEFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/TJsT3KPNRl">pic.twitter.com/TJsT3KPNRl</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1527329464539299843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Larkin leads Efes back

Shane Larkin knows a thing or two about putting up crooked numbers at the Final Four and he could be on the verge of history here. Larkin scored 10 second-quarter points to keep Efes close. He also dished 6 assists, the last of which was a Vasa Micic triple to put Efes up 41-42, though McKissic came through again for Olympiacos to lead by 1 at the break.

Efes’s 8 first-half triples are tied for the most triples in first half of a Final Four since 2007-08. It also made 8 in the 2019 semifinals against Fenerbahce Istanbul. Larkin is the fourth player to make 4 threes in the first half of a Final Four game. With 1 more, he becomes the first player in coemption history to make 5 threes in a Final Four game twice.

### Reds' reserves get the job done

Olympiacos played much of the first few minutes of the second quarter with four reserves on the floor: Kostas Sloukas, Shaq McKissic, Hassan Martin and Georgios Printezis. Martin scored inside and McKissic drove for a layup that helped the Reds keep pace and when Thomas Walkup chased down a loose ball and fed Printezis for a slam, Olympiacos led 33-29 and Efes called timeout. The Martin-McKissic duo continued to shine with the former scoring twice to reach a game-high 9 points already and the latter netting free throws that made it 39-32 with 4 minutes left in the half.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a> showing some HUSTLE🔥 <br><br>Walkup steals the ball and lets Printezis have an easy finish! <br> <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/WVEOOTawzi">pic.twitter.com/WVEOOTawzi</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527326981531918337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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="fr" dir="ltr">1st Quarter Ends <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> – Anadolu Efes 21-18 <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/OLYEFS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYEFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/kUcNX5FK2e">pic.twitter.com/kUcNX5FK2e</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1527323723295883264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Dunston inspires Efes off the bench

Bryant Dunston was the game’s first substitution, coming in for Tibor Pleiss, and he made an instant impact. Even though he failed to slow down Fall, Dunston drew a foul from the Olympiacos starter and made a free throw, nailed a jumper to beat the shot clock and blocked a Papanikolaou shot in the paint to help force a shot-clock violation. With Dunston on the court, Efes outscored Olympiacos 5-13 to lead 14-18 before the Reds regained the lead after 10 minutes.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dunston with the big block!⛔️<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/vrDoybvvz4">pic.twitter.com/vrDoybvvz4</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527322842085220352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Big men make early impact

Moustapha Fall scored the first basket of the game for the Reds and Tibor Pleiss’s hook shot put Efes up 4-5. Olympiacos scored a three on the next possession only after the ball went inside to Fall, he dunked on the ensuing possession, then drew a foul and splie free throws before assisting Kostas Papanikolaou on a layup to make it 12-5. After all the focus on the backcourt stars, the big men are making the big impact early.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sasha Vezenkov feeds Moustapha Fall for a big slam in traffic!<a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@olympiacosbc</a> <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/wKA5ohwmkR">pic.twitter.com/wKA5ohwmkR</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1527320549512294400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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">Olympiacos 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/WL0JUqvNUF">pic.twitter.com/WL0JUqvNUF</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1527318046762643456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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! Let&#39;s do it!<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/EveryGameMatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EveryGameMatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OLYEFS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OLYEFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/I5EhdqyTxM">pic.twitter.com/I5EhdqyTxM</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1527318135677759494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 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">🗣 Printezis : “We are better team, better players”!!!<br><br>Let’s do this!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 <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://t.co/FdjAowFZ9K">pic.twitter.com/FdjAowFZ9K</a></p>&mdash>; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="<https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1527313859597303810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May> 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="<https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js>" charset="utf-8"></script>

### The teams have taken the court

After the earlier shootarounds, both teams came in for proper warmups just moments apart. It is now confirmed that Krunoslav Simon will not play tonight. He is not in uniform, nor is Dogus Balbay for the reigning champs.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I FEEL DEVOTION <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/lmVkEZChoC">pic.twitter.com/lmVkEZChoC</a></p>&mdash; Jaime Alonso (@JaimeAlonso_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaimeAlonso_/status/1527308554104754176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### They teams are warming up!

More than an hour till tip-off of the first semifinal and Stark Arena is already abuzz. The Olympiacos takeover of the stands can be seen and heard with the pockets of red from all corners of the arena. And it’s only going to get louder as we approach game time!

Different players are taking different approaches as the warmup with Olympiacos’s Tyler Dorsey wearing headphones as he shoots to help block out all the noise and focus, while his teammates Moustapha Fall and Hassan Martin spent a few moments sitting by the side and taking in the atmosphere. The loudest noise was reserved for the boos when Efes star Shane Larkin came out. What a night it’s going to be!

Olympiacos Piraeus-Anadolu Efes Istanbul, Teaser

Follow all the latest news and updates news for Thursday's semifinals games here with the Game Blog!

Game Blog: Micic wins it in last second! Efes heads to championship game

Stark Arena pregame - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Dogus Balbay - Anadolu Efes Istanbul arrival - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

For 32-year-old Antoni and his six friends, basketball is a way of life. The basketball floor in Tarragona, a town just outside Barcelona, is also a place where Antoni hurt his knee while trying to make a last-second play this past weekend. 

"Talking to my friends, we realized that my injury will not stop us from going to the Final Four,” Antoni explains.

Antoni rolls around in a wheelchair through the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone, with one of his friends in charge of holding his crutches. They already had a little adventure because his wheelchair broke on the airplane, so they spent Thursday morning looking for new ones to rent in Belgrade. 

But they already proved nothing will stop them from enjoying the experience, because this is the Final Four.

"We watched the whole season, the series against Bayern, and we said, ‘We have to do it.’ Yes, basketball is definitely the way to live."

He says being a fan of all Barcelona sport teams has been little rough in the past few years, but hopes are up for this Final Four. 

"Last season we lost in the final. Hopefully, this is a chance to win this trophy.”

FC Barcelona fan Antoni Carreras hurt his knee on Saturday playing in an amateur basketball game. It did not stop him, or his friends, from coming to Belgrade for the Final Four this week.

Injury could not keep Barca fan from Belgrade

Antoni Carreras and his friends - Fans - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Among a sea of Olympiacos fans in Belgrade, the father and son were loving every second of the Final Four in the lead-up to Friday’s semifinals.

"It is not just games, it is the whole event," Gerasimos said. "It is a long trip from Kefalonia, but every minute was worth it."

Father and son go to Olympiacos games as much as they can. For Gerasimos, it is his second Final Four experience.

"I was at the Final Four in 2010, in Paris. That did not finish good for us," Gerasimos laughs.

Olympiacos lost a championship game against FC Barcelona that season. He and his son, as well as the rest of Reds' fans, hope it will be a different story this time around.

"We have a strong team, we have a lot of fans here. I am very optimistic," says Gerasimos.

Gerasimos Vasilatos and his 10-year-old son Konstantinos traveled from the island of Kefalonia to experience the Final Four and support their beloved Olympiacos Piraeus.

Father and son Olympiacos fans love Final Four experience

Gerasimos and Konstantinos Vasilatos - Fans - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21

Oscar is not a newcomer, as he has been to some other Final Fours before. But for this one, he convinced Mario, a friend of his, to join him. 

"Oscar comes every year. This year I decided to join in, because it looked to me like a fantastic experience that I had never experienced before, and I really wanted to do it this year,” Mario said. “Oscar has totally convinced me.”

Oscar says his passion for the game goes beyond fandom to encompass his devotion to basketball: "We are here because we love basketball. Because we love basketball, it is what moves us in life".


"We couldn't miss being here,” Oscar said. “If you like basketball, you have to come to the Final Four. This event caps the season at the highest level. It is the greatest European basketball event of the year, and the fact that it is celebrated in cities like Belgrade, where basketball is everywhere around, makes it impossible to miss for any true basketball fan.”
 makes it impossible to miss for any true basketball fan.”

Oscar and Mario are two friends that came to Belgrade not only to cheer for and support Real Madrid, but to live a unique experience in a unique city.

Real fans are clear: ‘Basketball is what moves us’

Real Madrid Fans - Final Four Belgrade 2022 - EB21