Olympiacos BC is ready to break that curse after a fantastic regular season in which the team was incredibly solid, finishing above the rest with a 24-10 record before eliminating Real Madrid in the playoffs. Those are the facts. Let's analyze now why Olympiacos should be ahead of the pack in Abu Dhabi.

2025 Final Four: The case for… Fenerbahce

I am sure most Turkish Airlines EuroLeague connoisseurs have spoken about it before this year's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Since the current round-robin format started in the 2016-17 season, the first-ranked team after the regular season never won the EuroLeague championship. 

Olympiacos is ready to break that curse after a fantastic regular season in which the team was incredibly solid, finishing above the rest with a 24-10 record before eliminating Real Madrid in the playoffs. Those are the facts. Let's analyze now why Olympiacos should be ahead of the pack in Abu Dhabi.

### Finally healthy

Alec Peters was the only Olympiacos player to take part in all 38 EuroLeague games this season. Olympiacos comes into the Final Four without severe injury problems – even Keenan Evans, who has not played a EuroLeague game this season, could be available in Abu Dhabi. Olympiacos has a deep roster that only got better after adding combo guard Saben Lee, an explosive athlete with great energy at both ends. That allows the Reds to play with high intensity on defense, keeping the intensity for all 40 minutes.

Real Madrid had the chance to see it with their own eyes. After averaging 85.1 points, 37.0 rebounds, 18.7 assists and 13.2 turnovers in regular-season action, good for a PIR average of 97.7, things were tougher against Olympiacos's defense in the playoffs. Real went on to average 76.8 points, 34.5 rebounds, 17.0 assists and 15.2 turnovers in four games against the Reds for a PIR average of 82.5. Olympiacos showed its best defense in the playoffs and should keep going at Etihad Arena.

Sasha Vezenkov is looking for his first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title in Abu Dhabi.

2024-25 highlights: Sasha Vezenkov, Olympiacos

### Here to succeed

It is not just about the numbers, as there are a lot of very hungry players in Olympiacos looking for their first EuroLeague title. Sasha Vezenkov came back from the NBA after one season with the Sacramento Kings with one goal in mind – to win the EuroLeague. Forget MVP trophies or other accolades, Vezenkov's sole objective is to be standing on top of the podium on Sunday, May 25. He is actually posting better numbers than in his 2022-23 MVP season, too, playing with outstanding confidence and consistency. After losing the 2023 championship game at the buzzer, Vezenkov wants his hands on the trophy no matter what.

The same can be said about Evan Fournier, who had expressed his intention to play for Olympiacos one day during his 12-season NBA career. He got the opportunity to do so this season and not only adjusted really well to the EuroLeague level but also embraced the Greek culture, food and built a special relationship with Olympiacos's fans. Fournier is determined to make his EuroLeague debut season one to remember. Other Olympiacos stars like Nikola Milutinov, Thomas Walkup, Shaquielle McKissic and Moustapha Fall have not won the EuroLeague yet, either. The Reds have experience and hunger, a deadly combination in a Final Four environment.

Moses Wright, Nikola Milutinov and Moustapha Fall give Olympiacos Pireaus head coach Georgios Bartzokas plenty of options in the middle of the paint.

Olympiacos's center depth

### Depth is a key advantage

Olympiacos has made sure to have at least two good players, sometimes more, per spot, and that could pay off at the Final Four, as coach Georgios Bartzokas can spot a mismatch and run his team's offense through that player, taking into account that Vezenkov always delivers and is a reliable choice on offense at all times. At center, Olympiacos can go big and physical with Fall, use Milutinov to crash the boards or go with a more mobile center like Moses Wright. Vezenkov and Peters, two of the best stretch power forwards in the game, can (and will) play together at some point for extra firepower.

At guard, Walkup is set to play a crucial role in the semifinal against AS Monaco as the team's primary on-ball defender. Fournier is a terrific one-on-one player, but Olympiacos can also count on two energy guys like McKissic and Lee to shake things up at both ends. Luca Vildoza and Nigel Williams-Goss are former EuroLeague winners with great basketball IQ, and two-time champion Kostas Papanikolaou is the glue guy, taking care of all small details and make sure as team captain that all players have their eyes on the prize.

So, it's true, no regular-season champion won the EuroLeague under the new format. It is also true that since the round-robin format was chosen, the winner has always been either Real Madrid or the team that eliminated *Los Blancos*. Superstitions aside, Olympiacos has the talent, Final Four experience and willingness to go all the way. Very often, it just goes down to who wants it more and in that sense, the Reds will be ready to leave it all on the court. Don't be surprised if Olympiacos is the last team standing this season.

More Olympiacos News

Javier Gancedo explains why this could be the Reds' year

2025 Final Four: The case for... Olympiacos

Olympiacos Piraeus v AS Monaco (2025-05-23T18:00:00.000Z)

Euroleague Basketball unveils a groundbreaking lineup of content and social media experiences for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the league's remarkable growth across platforms where global fans spend much of their time. 

Euroleague Basketball announces its live content lineup for Final Four Abu Dhabi

Euroleague Basketball unveils a groundbreaking lineup of content and social media experiences for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the league's remarkable growth across platforms where global fans spend much of their time. 

### Tip-Off Celebration and Press Conference

Euroleague Basketball will launch an unprecedented tip-off celebration on Thursday, May 22. Live coverage begins with red carpet arrivals hosted by Deniz Aksoy and Shani Blatt. Following the red carpet, basketball enthusiasts can tune in to YouTube for panel conversations featuring legendary EuroLeague figures. The festivities culminate with the Opening Press Conference, where head coaches and star players from all of the Final Four teams will address the media.

### Star-Studded Live Shows with Basketball Legends

On Friday, May 23, EuroLeague will deliver special live pre-game and post-game shows hosted by influential female basketball voices Vasiliki Karamouza from Greece and Deniz Aksoy from Turkiye. They will be joined by three-time EuroLeague champion and All-25 EuroLeague Team member Mike Batiste, and iconic coach David Blatt. Both Batiste and Blatt will serve as main analysts alongside veteran broadcaster Dane Arlauckas for comprehensive coverage of the semifinals on Friday and the Championship Game on Sunday, May 25, offering unparalleled insights and analysis of the Final Four action. 

### Innovative "Live PodCourts" experience 

In a testament to EuroLeague's commitment to innovative storytelling, the league will host "Live PodCourts" on YouTube on Saturday and Sunday during the adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals. This pioneering format will feature live commentary delivered courtside from specially designed couches created for the occasion, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before. 

### Exclusive TikTok access 

Breaking new ground in digital fan engagement, the EuroLeague will deliver live pre-game streams for both Semifinals and a live post-game Championship Game celebration stream exclusively on TikTok. Hosts SBB_UK will take viewers behind the scenes of European basketball's premier event, offering previously unheard-of access to the Final Four experience.

The extensive content strategy reflects EuroLeague's vision to remain at the forefront of sports entertainment in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, consistently pushing boundaries to enhance the fan experience across all platforms on a global scale.

Sports fans can enjoy content tailored for TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms that have become central to the fan experience

Eight years since last lifting the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is ready to do it again in Abu Dhabi.

Eight years since last lifting the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy, [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) is ready to do it again in Abu Dhabi.

The Turkish giant suffered heartbreak in last year’s semifinal, losing to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, but it responded by putting together a very solid regular season campaign – securing the second seed – and then sweeping Paris Basketball in the playoffs. Now, it is out to exact revenge against the Greens at the Final Four – and it has bigger plans than just the semifinals.

One of the standout features of Fenerbahce this year has been its depth. All-EuroLeague forward [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/) earns a lot of the headlines, yet Fenerbahce can also call upon [Marko Guduric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/), [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/), [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) and [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/), among others. On any night, someone can go off.

That makes Fenerbahce a major threat in a single-elimination game. After falling last year to Panathinaikos with a backcourt of Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin, Saras Jasikevicius brought in Baldwin and Hall last summer before picking up McCollum midseason. Together with Guduric, they help make Fenerbahce a more dangerous outfit on both ends of the floor against the Greens’ trio of Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas and Jerian Grant. The same applies in a potential championship game appearance against Olympiacos Piraeus or AS Monaco.

At forward, Hayes-Davis has enjoyed a career year on offense and will be circled on Panathinaikos’s scouting report in the semifinals… but that focus on him may allow [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/) to shine. Biberovic really came into his own in the playoff series against Paris and he enters the Final Four full of confidence. As Coach Jasikevicius put it after the Paris series, the 24-year-old sharpshooter is no longer an X-factor – he is the real deal.

Fenerbahce has gone to three Final Fours (2018, 2019, 2024) since it became the first Turkish team to win the EuroLeague, but everything points to 2025 being a year to remember for the club’s supporters. Coach Jasikevicius, a four-time EuroLeague champion as a player, is chasing his first EuroLeague title as a head coach and he has a group of players who are starving for EuroLeague success, just like Panathinaikos last season. The Yellow Nation are ready – and so is this team.

More Fenerbahce News

Geoff Gillingham explains the reasons why Saras Jasikevicius’s men can go all the way in Abu Dhabi

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-05-23T15:00:00.000Z)

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Semifinals are just two days away and Nick Weiler-Babb, this season’s EuroLeague Best Defender, may have the solution for stopping – or at least limiting – four of the key players involved: Kendrick Nunn, Wade Baldwin, Evan Fournier and Mike James.

How Nick Weiler-Babb would stop the Final Four stars

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Semifinals are just two days away and [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/), this season’s EuroLeague Best Defender, may have the solution for stopping – or at least limiting – four of the key players involved.

On Friday night, [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) face off in the first semifinal before [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) and [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) lock horns in the second semifinal clash. With a spot in the EuroLeague Championship Game up for grabs, [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) and [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) have come under the microscope.

Ahead of these games, FC Bayern Munich’s Weiler-Babb spoke exclusively to [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Geoff Gillingham to offer some tips on how to stop these four superstars.

But first, what is the most important thing to bear in mind in these win-or-go-home contests?

“Attention to detail,” Weiler-Babb said. “Every possession matters. You don’t have a second game to make adjustments, so just paying attention to details and the scouting report because you don’t have a second chance.

### Kendrick Nunn (Panathinaikos)

The 2024-25 EuroLeague MVP also led the league in scoring, taking home the Alphonso Ford Top Scorer trophy as a result, and Weiler-Babb is a fan of his game.

“Just the way he can score at all three levels – he can get to the rim, he can also score from the mid-range, and he makes a bunch of tough shots,” he said.

So, how would the EuroLeague Best Defender go about stopping Nunn?

“He’s tough. He’s a high-level player, he goes both ways – he goes right just as well as he can go left. I think the best way to attack that is to keep forcing him inside. I think it’s easier to get a rhythm hitting tough shots from the outside than it is getting into the paint. I think that changes the momentum a lot more.”

### Wade Baldwin (Fenerbahce)

A former teammate of Weiler-Babb’s at Bayern in the 2020-21 season, the Germany international has little doubt about Baldwin’s quality.

“I think he’s one of the best mid-range pull-up shooters in the EuroLeague, for sure,” he said.

All those battles in training, and in the four seasons that have followed on EuroLeague floors, make Weiler-Babb well-informed to discuss the ways in which Baldwin can be frustrated.

“I think just limiting his downhill ability, make him hit tougher shots and not let him get downhill.”

### Evan Fournier (Olympiacos)

A newcomer to the EuroLeague, Fournier only faced off against Weiler-Babb once – in Round 5 – as he missed the Round 20 matchup between the teams, but one thing really stuck with Weiler-Babb from that night: the Frenchman’s mentality.

“His confidence really stands out,” he said. “I’ve seen games when he’s missed four or five shots in a row, but all it takes is one or two for him to turn it on.”

The Olympiacos star has an array of skills that make him one of the deadliest scorers in the EuroLeague, yet Weiler-Babb may have the recipe for frustrating him after holding him to just 4 points in Round 5.

“Just forcing him to use the dribble a lot more and not letting him get to his stepbacks or give him any space to shoot,” he said. “Just make him play off the dribble, more downhill.”

### Mike James (Monaco)

Last season’s MVP is the all-time leading scorer in the EuroLeague for a reason, but Weiler-Babb is equally impressed by James’s playmaking skills.

“He’s got the ability to make tough shots,” he said. “He’s an underrated passer, for sure. People try to double-team him and he’s not afraid to make the pass to the open guy.”

Despite that, Weiler-Babb thinks restricting James scoring-wise is the key for anyone facing him.

“A guy like him, you’ve just got to make shots tough,” he said. “At the end of the day, you’ve just got to contest the shot and hope he misses it.”

The newly crowned EuroLeague Best Defenders offers his advice on limiting four elite players at the Final Four

The 30th and final episode of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is upon us with co-hosts Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs of EuroLeague.net and Sport 24's Vasiliki Karamouza preparing themselves – and you – for what to expect this week in Abu Dhabi.

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast presents the Final Four episode

The 30th and final episode of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast is upon us with co-hosts [Javier Gancedo](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fganchetto&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cd31497b64394488cb00c08dd8bb37e6b%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638820325223923622%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5tNH%2BQWNoYSgCFd0ChRRhky4K9vFi3ebTNQT8Dwp1zQ%3D&reserved=0) and [Frankie Sachs](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FMrEuroleague&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cd31497b64394488cb00c08dd8bb37e6b%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638820325223944385%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IGy%2BEGWZkAc794Ikvk2coJH9JO1ZniZQzAvgXeHl4GY%3D&reserved=0) of [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) and Sport 24's [Vasiliki Karamouza](https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fkaramouza_vas&data=05%7C02%7Cigor.petrinovic%40euroleague.net%7Cd31497b64394488cb00c08dd8bb37e6b%7C2b3d64f0329542979f1528435f0a62ce%7C1%7C0%7C638820325223955177%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=iWMdkeGl8BL43%2FwZ10BoQVxeAiWr2tTRDPAml3GIwl8%3D&reserved=0) preparing themselves – and you – for what to expect this week in Abu Dhabi.

The gang discusses who they like from all four teams – [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/roster/mco/?season=2024-25), [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/roster/ulk/?season=2024-25), [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2024-25) and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25). How will the potential return of [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) from injury affect things? Where does "Final Four Nunn" rank among "home Nunn" and "new-contract Nunn"? Why does Frankie like [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) most of all players at the Final Four? And why do they all like [Tarik Biberovic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tarik-biberovic/006961/)?

All of these topics were discussed – and more – in the Final Four episode. Take note, while Javi shares some excellent advice about the third-place game, it appears that Frankie has already wrapped up the win in the race between the three of them. So who do you trust the most? With only two games nights left this season, choose wisely with your final picks. And as always, good luck to our fantasy friends. And we'll see you next season!

The Fantasy Challenge Podcast presents the Final Four episode 

Frankie, Javi and Vasiliki join forces for the last episode of the season

For the first time ever, more than 20 influencers from around the world are coming together for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi as part of the EuroLeague’s Amplifier Program.

EuroLeague Amplifier Program is ready to leave its mark at Final Four in Abu Dhabi

For the first time ever, more than 20 influencers from around the world are coming together for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi as part of the EuroLeague’s Amplifier Program.

This crew of creators—from basketball content savants to lifestyle and travel trendsetters—has a combined reach of almost 15 million followers on Instagram (14,985,400) and over 19 million on TikTok (19,326,800). They’re flying in from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Turkiye and the United Kingdom to join their UAE counterparts, and they’ll be giving their communities a front-row seat to everything happening at the Final Four and beyond. Among the 18 influencers are [Elvis Ude](https://www.instagram.com/thatkidelvis/) (Spain), [Ovie Soko](https://www.instagram.com/oviesoko/) (UK), [Valentina Vignali](https://www.instagram.com/valentinavignali/) (Italy), [Berk Keklik](https://www.instagram.com/uberkuloz/) (Turkiye) and [Shehab Alhashemi](https://www.instagram.com/shihabkoo/) (UAE).

In Abu Dhabi, these content creators will be able to experience sport, culture, and entertainment, all while showing the world what the EuroLeague is all about: passion, fun, and bringing people together. With exclusive access to the event and behind-the-scenes moments, these creators will dive into everything the league has to offer—from the Final Four games to the FanZone and the adidas NextGen EuroLeague—and bring fans along for the ride.

Away from the court, the partnership with Experience Abu Dhabi will allow the content creators to explore local culture, visit iconic landmarks, and try some of the exciting attractions Abu Dhabi has to offer, as they capture the full vibe of the city and share it with millions of fans across the globe.

The goal of their presence is to help bring in a younger audience and provide a different perspective at the Final Four, which in turn will help boost the reach of the EuroLeague. [Brisco](https://www.instagram.com/brisco_s3/), a former world champion freestyle basketball performer, will also perform during the NextGen EuroLeague Championship Game. 

The EuroLeague Amplifier Program will allow the EuroLeague to open up to new communities, connect cultures, and turning the Final Four weekend into something bigger than basketball. The influencers will help spread the energy of #EveryGameMatters during their stay in Abu Dhabi.

List of content creators heading to Abu Dhabi as part of the Amplifier Program:

[Ovie Soko (UK)](https://www.instagram.com/oviesoko/)

[Valentina Vignali (Italy)](https://www.instagram.com/valentinavignali/)

[Berk Keklik (Turkiye)](https://www.instagram.com/uberkuloz/)

[Shehab Alhashemi](https://www.instagram.com/shihabkoo/) (UAE)

[Elvis Ude (Spain)](https://www.instagram.com/thatkidelvis/)

[Tresco (Spain)](https://www.instagram.com/tresco_ball/)

[Pol Fores (Spain)](https://www.instagram.com/polforess/)

[Marta Diaz (Spain)](https://www.instagram.com/martaa_diiaz/)

[Reda Ouahbi (France)](https://www.instagram.com/rookicks_/)

[Brice Coyere (France)](https://www.instagram.com/brisco_s3/)

[Joanna Hanna (France)](https://www.instagram.com/joanahanna/)

[SBB (UK)](https://www.instagram.com/sbb_uk/)

[George Lentzas (Greece)](https://www.instagram.com/george_lntz/)

[Amal Bin Haider (UAE)](https://www.instagram.com/amalbinhaider/?hl=fr)

[Andrej Mangold (Germany)](https://www.instagram.com/dregold/)

[Marco D’Uva](https://www.instagram.com/__iyb__/) (Italy)

[Tommaso Marino (Italy)](https://www.instagram.com/tommy_marino1/)

This initiative will deliver the #EveryGameMatters essence to a wider audience

The first team to land in Abu Dhabi for the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was AS Monaco, and it was greeted by loud and harmonious song. Members of the Mubarak Al Atiba Group were on hand to perform the Al-Ayyala, a traditional Emirati cultural performance.

Monaco welcomed to Final Four with Al-Ayyala ceremony

The first team to land in Abu Dhabi for the [2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/final-four/) was [AS Monaco,](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) and it was greeted by loud and harmonious song. Members of the Mubarak Al Atiba Group were on hand to perform the Al-Ayyala, a traditional Emirati cultural performance. The same process was repeated when [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-bc-athens/roster/pan/?season=2024-25) and [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/roster/oly/?season=2024-25) touched down a few hours later.

Originally a ceremony used to welcome victorious warriors home from battle, today the Al-Ayyala is often performed to greet honored guests, such as the teams coming to Abu Dhabi to compete for the EuroLeague crown.

The ceremony consists of roughly 20 men in two rows facing each other, holding thin bamboo sticks that represent spears or swords. In between them are musicians beating drums, while the men chant melodic greetings. There were two falcons, with their handlers, among the performers.

The players were also offered traditional Arab coffee as part of the welcome ceremony.

The Monaco players were caught off guard by the ceremony with [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/), [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) quickly whipping out their phones to film the ongoings.

While most of the players headed to their rooms after arriving, a few stopped by the cameras to answer a couple of questions. Monaco superstar [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/)  expressed how happy he is to be here.

His Panathinaikos counterpart and EuroLeague MVP [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) sounded confident when it was his time to talk: "I feel great being here in Abu Dhabi. During our playoff run, I told my team we can't miss it. We have to be there. It's a great feeling. We will play two more games now and potentially win the championship. 

"Ultimately, you have to go out there and put your best efforts to win the game and get a victory. It will be a team effort, but for sure, I will be ready. We have much more experience this year. It's my second year in the EuroLeague. I know what to expect a little bit more, so I'm going in with a little bit more experience, which helps."

All of them were greeted with the traditional Emirati Al-Ayyala performance

Three teams have already touched down in Abu Dhabi

For those without tickets to the sold-out 2025 EuroLeague Final Four games, Euroleague Basketball is proud to announce four specially selected bars where fans can experience the drama, intensity, and passion of the Final Four in unforgettable fashion.

Catch all the Final Four action at the four official Abu Dhabi viewing venues

As the excitement builds for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, Euroleague Basketball is bringing the action closer to fans across Abu Dhabi. We’re happy to announce four specially selected locations where fans can experience the drama, intensity, and passion of the Final Four in unforgettable fashion.

Each venue offers a unique flavor, from authentic charm to upscale viewing vibes—ensuring every type of basketball fan can find their perfect spot.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens WatchPoint: Panathinaikos Athens

##### [49’ers (LEAF Tower: Lower Ground Floor Leaf Tower - Al Reem Island – Tamouh)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KgDdg4P5Tkt6j9rs9)

Fit with the largest LED screen to watch the games, 49'ers promises a lively atmosphere filled with energy and great food. As a bonus, it is walking distance from the FanZone. Known for its classic grill, lively crowd, and rustic charm, this is where die-hard fans can feel right at home.

### Olympiacos Piraeus WatchPoint: Legend

##### [The G.O.A.T. & Bambu (Cristal Hotel: Zayed The First St - Al Danah - Zone 1)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/vDYqbxFcX4ysRjh27)

Get ready for a vibrant experience. The G.O.A.T. lives up to its name—serving up gourmet bites and dynamic beverages in a sleek setting. Attached to Bambu, a stylish lounge, this venue blends the best of sports viewing with upbeat nightlife vibes for an all-in-one experience.

### AS Monaco WatchPoint: Roca Zone

##### [The Brown Lion (Marriott Hotel: Marriott Hotel Downtown - Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St - Al Manhal - Al Tibbiya)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/axhb7PYTkqY2RBN49)

The Brown Lion offers warm hospitality, comfort food, and the perfect pint to go with every three-pointer. With 13 screens, you can find a comfortable seat with friends and see the game from every angle. It’s ideal for fans looking for a laid-back yet passionate space to watch the games and connect with fellow supporters.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul WatchPoint: Yellow Legacy

##### [The Irish Vickers (The Hub – Level 6 - World Trade Center Mall. Khalifa Bin Zayed The First St - Al Danah - Zone 1 - Abu Dhabi​)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/VmffDUNgiJWNcZHdA)

With multiple screens, hearty Irish fare, and an unbeatable central location, it’s a go-to game-night destination for spirited group viewing and unforgettable Final Four moments.

Don’t miss a second of the action—join fellow fans and experience the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four at these incredible venues across the city.

Each team’s fanbase will have a dedicated WatchPoint at stunning locations around Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens playmaker Kostas Sloukas will have a chance to truly rewrite the history books.

Kostas Sloukas sets his sights on Final Four records

When a player is playing in his 11th Final Four – more than all but one player in the history of the competition, and as one of the main protagonists in each one of those – it is not much of a surprise that he is flirting with all kinds of Final Four records.

In Abu Dhabi, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens playmaker [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) will have a chance to truly rewrite the history books.

First and foremost, last year’s Final Four MVP will aim to become the first player this century to win five EuroLeague championships. He climbed the throne with Olympiacos in 2012 and 2013, he lifted the crown with Fenerbahce in 2017, and then did so with Panathinaikos last season.

If Panathinaikos ends up going back-to-back, the only players who would have more titles than Sloukas in the history of the competition would be Dino Meneghin with seven (titles won between 1970 and 1988) and Clifford Luyk (all from 1964 to 1978).

### Eyeing top spot

But Sloukas also has a realistic chance to reach the mountaintop in as many as four different Final Four statistical categories.

Sloukas enters this Final Four in second place [in accumulated PIR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=Valuation&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF) with 203. [Victor Khryapa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/victor-khryapa/bcq/) is the leader with 208. Sloukas is also [ranked second with 57 free throws made](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=FreeThrowsMade&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), while [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) is the leader with 59. With three free throws made at the Final Four, Sloukas would be first overall all-time.

The Panathinaikos playmaker [ranks third with 67 assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=Assistances&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), behind only [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/) (71) and [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) (76). Sloukas also arrives in Abu Dhabi ranked fourth in scoring at Final Fours this century with 191 points. Above him are [JR Holden](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jr-holden/aqo/) (194 points), Rodriguez (209) and Llull (213).

So, [with 23 points in two games](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=Score&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), Sloukas would claim the top spot, which Llull has occupied since 2023. It’s worth remembering that Nikos Galis is the scoring leader in Final Four era with 231 points, achieved at the Final Fours played between 1988 and 1994. Sloukas would need to score 40 points in Abu Dhabi to catch Galis.

Moreover, with his next appearance in a Final Four game, Sloukas will move into second place all-time with [21 Final Four games played](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=GamesPlayed&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), behind only Khryapa (23 Final Four appearances).

There is another player in Abu Dhabi who is set to move into the Top 10 in terms of appearances – Sloukas's former teammate, Olympiacos Piraeus team captain [Kostas Papanikolaou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-papanikolaou/001255/). He is currently 11th, with one fewer Final Four game played than [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) and [Andrey Vorontsevich](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andrey-vorontsevich/lhi/), who are tied in ninth place with 15 appearances. In Abu Dhabi, Papanikolaou – playing at his eighth Final Four – can also move past them and catch Holden, who sits in eighth place with 16 Final Four games played.

Interestingly, Sloukas and Papanikolaou are tied just outside the Top 10 in Final Fours this century in two categories.

They sit in 11th place with [20 three-point shots](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=FieldGoalsMade3&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF) made apiece, with [Jaycee Carroll](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaycee-carroll/001960/) and [David Blu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/david-blu/bes/) tied for ninth with 21 triples apiece, while [Saras Jasikevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saras-jasikevicius/adg/) and [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/) are tied for seventh having made 22 threes each. Sloukas and Papanikolaou are also tied in 12th place with 37 defensive rebounds. Teodosic and [Mike Batiste](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-batiste/ajv/) are tied in 10th place with 38 defensive rebounds apiece.

Sloukas is set to move up the two-pointers made list, where he ranks eighth with 37 shots made, behind Holden in seventh with 39 and Llull in sixth with 40 two-pointers made.

### McKissic leading the steals race

Sloukas is also tied for 18th place in Final Fours this century with 9 steals, needing four more to get into the Top 10. However, there are three other players in Abu Dhabi who have more steals in Final Four games than Sloukas.

[Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/) ranks in 12th place in Final Fours this century [with 12 steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=Steals&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), which is more than any other player at this Final Four. This figure is even more impressive when you consider that McKissic has only played six Final Four games in his career. With his next steal, he will equal [Mike Batiste](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-batiste/ajv/), [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) and [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-mirotic/000796/), who are all tied in ninth place with 13 steals apiece.

Behind McKissic sits AS Monaco's [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/), who is the EuroLeague’s all-time leader in steals with 459, but only 11 of those came in the Final Fours, which ranks him in 13th place. Papanikolaou is also ahead of Sloukas, having stolen 10 balls, for 14th place. 

### Papanikolaou and Calathes moving up

Papanikolaou and Calathes are the only other players in Abu Dhabi who are already in the Top 10 in several categories, with an opportunity to move up some more.

Calathes, the EuroLeague’s all-time leader in assists, ranks fifth in Final Fours in that category with 48 assists. He needs 11 more to catch fourth-placed [Theo Papaloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/theodoros-papaloukas/atw/).

Papanikolaou has 12 starts in Final Four games this century, [tied for the third-most](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=GamesStarted&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF). Khryapa is second with 13 starts, and Holden is the leader with 15 starts in Final Four games. Calathes has nine starts in Final Four games this century, currently tied for 13th, but if he starts one game in Abu Dhabi he would enter the Top 10. If he starts both, Calathes would be alone in sixth place in this category.

Papanikolaou [ranks in ninth place](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=TotalRebounds&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF) with 55 rebounds, behind Batiste (58) and seventh-placed Mirotic (59). [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) is sixth with 64 rebounds in Final Fours this century. In this same category, Calathes is in 19th with 43 rebounds and needs 10 in Abu Dhabi to catch 10th-placed [Ioannis Bourousis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ioannis-bourousis/aqu/) (53).

Papanikolaou needs a [single offensive rebound](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=OffensiveRebounds&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF) to move into the Top 10, while Calathes requires [one defensive rebound](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=DefensiveRebounds&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF) to enter the Top 15 in that category in Final Fours this century.

The Panathinaikos point guard is in position to rewrite the Final Four history books in Abu Dhabi