The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone is always a perfect starting point for basketball lovers at the Final Four. This year, seemingly more than ever before, fans from all corners of the continent and beyond have flocked to Kaunas for the pinnacle basketball weekend of the year.
There are Final Four veterans, like Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv fan Moshe, who is in his 12th Final Four, and the group of CSP Limoges fans who are celebrating 30 years since their beloved team won its lone EuroLeague crown.
"We are four guys coming from central France who came here to enjoy the tournament," said Junien, wearing a specially-made Limoges jacket.
Radek, from Wroclaw in Poland, came to the FanZone in a Toni Kukoc Jugoplastika jersey.
"I am here with eight crazy guys from Poland. We support all basketball, we love basketball, we love Kaunas, a very exciting place", he said.
The most represented fans are those of Olympiacos, who believe they will have 5,000 fans supporting the team at Zalgirio Arena for the semifinals tonight, but FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and AS Monaco fans have also been strolling the FanZone.
The hometown fans, young and old, although heartbroken when Zalgiris Kaunas lost a chance to qualify for the Final Four earlier this month, have shown up in big numbers at the FanZone, too.
"I have never been to the Final Four before. I think the fans are amazing and they bring a good atmosphere", said 17-year old Justinas, who participated in the 3x3 basketball tournament.
The FanZone is where Justinas will also watch the games this weekend along with thousands of other fans, who all came to basketball-loving Kaunas to enjoy the Final Four party.