Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz reached a new agreement with small forward Sander Raieste to keep working together next season, the club announced Friday. 


Baskonia re-signs forward Raieste

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz reached a new agreement with small forward Sander Raieste to keep working together next season, the club announced Friday. Raieste (2.04 meters, 25 years old) joined Baskonia's academy in 2016 and has been a member of its first team roster since the start of the 2020-21 season. Last season, Raieste averaged 0.9 points and 0.6 rebounds in 30 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games, helping his team qualify for the playoffs. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">¡Se queda un año más! 🤝🇪🇪<br><br>✍️ Sander Raieste y Baskonia, juntos hasta 2⃣0⃣2⃣5⃣<br>📋 <a href="https://t.co/IZEGvyaZeY">https://t.co/IZEGvyaZeY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raieste2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Raieste2025</a> 🔵🔴 <a href="https://t.co/PNEyQ2fzWi">pic.twitter.com/PNEyQ2fzWi</a></p>&mdash; Baskonia (@Baskonia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia/status/1798992080393715811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

He has also played for Audentese SG Noortelkoondis and BC Kaleb Cramo of his native Estonia, as well as for Fundación 5+11 of Spain. Raieste has also been a member of the Estonian national team. In 69 EuroLeague career games with Baskonia, Raieste averages 1.1 points and 0.9 rebounds.

Baskonia re-signs forward Sander Raieste

The detailed dressing up of Uber Arena for the Final Four started early in the week.

Uber Arena was in full Final Four theme even behind the scenes.

Players of each team had a pretty good idea about which locker room belonged to their team.

Players met the press on Uber Arena's floor before each game.

The Uber Platz in front of the arena was the place to be for all basketball fans.

Fenerbahce fans were vocal in the support of their team, back at the Final Four for the first time since 2019.

Panathinaikos fans came in big numbers.

Panathinaikos beat Fenerbahce in the opening game of the Final Four on Friday.

Real Madrid had a corner with its own passionate group of supporters.

Olympiacos fans attended their third straight Final Four.

Real Madrid beat Olympiacos on Friday to reach its third straight championship game.

Ubera Arena was also a place for old teammates to catch up, like Thomas Walkup and Tyler Dorsey.

Olympiacos beat Fenerbahce in the third-place game.

Euroleague Basketball President Dejan Bodiroga and CEO Paulius Motiejunas spoke to the media at Uber Arena.

Ubera Arena was also a place of the championship game press conference on Saturday morning.

The pregame show on Sunday was impresive as always.

The dancers had the crowd bouncing.

The tip off of the championship game, however, was what everyone was waiting for.

As usual, Final Four was sold out and Uber Arena was packed the entire weekend.

In the end, Kostas Sloukas earned Final Four MVP honors for leading Panathinaikos to the title.

Panathinaikos earned the confetti at the end.

The final event of the Final Four week at Uber Arena was the winning coach's press conference. Ergin Ataman won the EuroLeague for the third time in the last four years.

Berlin became the first city, and Uber Arena became the first venue to host the EuroLeague Final Four for the third time this century. 

Uber Arena in Photos

Three games, three road winners in domestic playoff finals action on Thursday night, as Fenerbahce, Milan and Paris all picked up huge wins away from home. 

Hayes-Davis, Shields shine in big road wins for Fenerbahce, Milan

### Italy: Shields shines as Milan pulls out OT road win

In a rollercoaster game in which both team took turns taking control, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan downed Virtus Segafredo Bologna 75-86 after overtime to grab a 1-0 lead in the Italian League finals on Thursday night. Shavon Shields and Devon Hall combined for 15 of Milan's 18 points in overtime, paving the way for a big win and getting Milan a step closer to a title defense.

Shields finished with 25 points on 6-for-7 three-point shooting, Shabazz Napier netted 21 and Devon Hall had 18 points. Those three players accounted for all 13 of Milan's triples, as the team shot 13-for-27 from long range on the night. For the hosts, Tornike Shengelia scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half, while Marco Belinelli and Isaia Cordnier scored 14 apiece in a loss.

Virtus jumped ahead behind Shengelia, and a triple from Cordinier opened 18-9 after 7 minutes of play, before a triple apiece from Awudu Abass and Shengelia made it 25-14 early in the second quarter. But Milan stepped up defensively, allowing just 8 more points the rest of the quarter, and cut the deficit to 6 points, before Virtus took 33-25 halftime lead. After the break, however, Milan closed the gap some more, before Napier and Hall sparked a 0-9 run. Shields, Nikola Mirotic and Hall made sure Milan took 48-54 lead into the final quarter, but Iffe Lundberg led Virtus's charge in the fourth. The hosts took a 68-65 lead into the final minute, but a triple from Napier with 33 seconds left in regulation took the game into overtime. In the extra session a three-pointer from Shields opened 68-73, then two more threes from Shields made it 70-79 and Milan never looked back, securing a win in the series opener.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">Milano ribalta subito il fattore campo, GARA 1 È NOSTRA 🔥🤍❤️ <br><br>Shields 25 pts, Napier 21, Hall 18 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LBAFinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LBAFinals</a> <a href="https://t.co/nuluCs43pO">pic.twitter.com/nuluCs43pO</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1798819271285592081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Turkey: Hayes-Davis, Fenerbahce open finals series in style

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul had a dream start to the Turkish League finals with a resounding 74-85 road win over Anadolu Efes Istanbul in their best-of-five series on Thursday night. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday, again at Sinan Erdem Arena.

Both teams made runs early in the game, with Nigel Hayes Davis starting a Fenerbahce's 0-10 run late in the first quarter to make it 14-22, only for Efes to respond with an 11-2 spurt and re-take the lead, 25-24. But the visitors managed to strike right back, scoring the next 9 points, then Hayes-Davis's three-point play, a driving dunk by Ercan Omani, sparked another Fenerbahce push which saw the team take 36-51 margin into the break after a three-pointer from Tarik Biberovic.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Uçuşa geçen <a href="https://twitter.com/NIGEL_HAYES?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NIGEL_HAYES</a> çok sert smaçladı! 😤<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/tUHjVMPUXS">pic.twitter.com/tUHjVMPUXS</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1798782044253900989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Hayes-Davis scored the first 5 point of the third quarter to open a 20-point margin, and advantage was extended to 45-68 late in the third quarter and 51-75 early in the fourth. With the final outcome sealed and out of hands, Efes halved the deficit before game's end. Hayes-Davis scored 18 of his 28 points in the first half, and finished shooting 4-for-6 behind the arc. Dyshawn Pierre scored 16, Biberovic had 10 point, while Nick Calathes collected 8 points, 11 assists and 5 rebounds for the winners. For Efes, Osmani scored 18, Shane Larkin had 16 points plus 8 assists, and Dan Oturu also scored 16 in defeat.

### France: Paris sinks Monaco on the road

BKT EuroCup champion Paris Basketball beat AS Monaco 70-77 in Game 2 of their best-of-five French League finals series, tying it at 1-1 as the series now moves to Paris. Nadir Hifi netted 24 points on 5-for-7 three-point shooting, EuroCup MVP TJ Shorts had 21 points and 6 rebounds. Justin Simon scored 14 points while Enzo Shahrvin pulled down 10 rebounds in a victory. Elie Okobo paced Monaco with 15 points, Alpha Diallo scored 14, Petr Cornelie had 11 points and 6 rebounds while Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP Mike James scored 10 in defeat.

Paris opened the game with a 1-12 run behind Tyson Ward and Hifi, before 6 straight points from Simon made it 4-18. The hosts did not score their first field goal until 2:28 left in the first quarter, and were held to that just 1 field goal as Paris held 11-25 lead after 10 minutes. But Monaco picked up its offense in the second quarter with Cornelie and Donta Hall giving it a spark, and Jordan Loyd and Diallo each hitting a triple during an 11-0 run that tied it at 31-31.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">⚪️⚪️⚪️⚫️ 9’<br><br>NADIR HALFBAOSHDIAJDVDLAJSVLAHDVFKFEKF T’ES CARRÉMENT INCROYABLE MEC !!!!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMonaco_Basket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASMonaco_Basket</a> 66<a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParisBasketball</a> 75 <a href="https://t.co/rsiEuGiZzY">pic.twitter.com/rsiEuGiZzY</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1798782682005946761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

TJ Shorts and Hifi made sure Paris took a 36-38 lead into halftime, but Matthew Strazel opened the third with a triple that gave Monaco its first lead. However, Paris had a quick response, a 1-13 run with Hifi and Simon in main roles. Monaco cut this double-digit deficit to 51-55 at the end of the third quarter, and tied it at 62-62 in the fourth. But Paris had another answer, this time a 0-6 run behind Shorts, before sealing the game on a long jumper by Hifi in the final minute, making it 66-75 and securing a big win.

Three games, three road winners in domestic playoff finals action on Thursday night, as Fenerbahce, Milan and Paris all picked up huge wins away from home.

The Panathinaikos forward helped the Greens to their seventh star and in doing so confirmed that Berlin is a special city for him.

Juancho Hernangomez and his special connection to Berlin

[Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) is a distinguished member of a big basketball family with German roots. His mother, Wonny Geuer, was born in Sevilla, Spain, to German parents, who had moved to that city for work. She had a long basketball career, including 158 appearances with the Spanish national team, which she helped win a gold medal at EuroBasket 1993. Juancho's father Guillermo Hernangomez started his career with Real Madrid's junior teams and played professional basketball for a decade. Juancho's brother Willy plays for FC Barcelona and his sister, Andrea, is playing college basketball at Fairfield University.

Juancho already knew what it took to win at Uber Arena. In 2022, the Hernangomez brothers led Spain to the EuroBasket 2022 crown. Willy earned tournament MVP honors and Juancho was unstoppable in the gold medal game against France, leading Spain to an 88-76 victory. He sank 7 of 9 three-pointers on his way to 27 points plus 5 rebounds for a PIR of 30.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There ain&#39;t nothing like your first 🏆 <br><br>A thread of <a href="https://twitter.com/paobcgr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paobcgr</a> players celebrating their first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> Championship <a href="https://twitter.com/juanchiviris41?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@juanchiviris41</a> 📸 <a href="https://t.co/b744AWbsEI">pic.twitter.com/b744AWbsEI</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1795810554948227505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Last month, Hernangomez returned to Berlin and heped Panathinaikos beat Real Madrid 80-95 in the EuroLeague championship game with 5 points and 4 rebounds in less than 20 minutes. By doing so, Hernangomez became just the second Spanish-born player to win the EuroLeague with a foreign team. Sergio Rodriguez was the first with CSKA Moscow in 2019.

"I love Berlin. I have already bought an apartment in Berlin and I am going to live here!" Hernangomez joked after the game. "It's the most beautiful city in the world. Two victories and two championships! I have to say I am very happy."

It was Hernangomez's first season in European basketball after seven years in the NBA. He had never played in a European club competition before, but added to his EuroBasket 2022 crown with Spain, Hernangomez helped his national team win the 2019 World Cup, too. Juancho, however, sees Panathinaikos's EuroLeague title as something different, given the amount of years that the Greens had been away from the Final Four.

"I think everyone accepted their roles, and this is why we won. I have won the World Championship, the EuroBasket, but this is different," Hernangomez said. "All the fans have been waiting for this for 12 years. This is a historic club that deserves the best," he added.

It was not an easy season for Juancho, who battled injuries and struggled to find his rhythm in a different brand of basketball. Hernangomez delivered when it mattered, getting 11 points in 14 minutes in Game 5 of the playoffs against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, and playing an important role in the championship game. When Hernangomez talked to the Spanish media, he also had a funny quote about Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman, which is hard to translate.

Juancho Hernangomez is now a World Cup, EuroBasket and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion!

2024 Final Four highlights Juancho Hernangomez, Panathinaikos

"Ataman, I don't know what he has... He has an aura, a flower in his ass. He has it," Hernangomez said. In Spanish, having a flower in someone's ass means to be very lucky. Hernangomez, however, went on about Ataman's unique winning mentality as one of the keys to the Greens' success in Berlin.

"I don't know how to explain it. He is a winner. He doesn't do any magic tricks but he wins. He believes in it. The good thing about him is that he really believes it," Hernangomez said. "He said it at the beginning of the season when he arrived and put us all on the same page. If you are saying it and believing in it, in the end, you are learning about it. He has an aura."

Hernangomez also starred in Panathinaikos's celebrations in Athens, joining center Mathias Lessort on top of the double-decker bus and imitating Ataman's signature gesture, showing his fists to a see of green fans who were celebrating in the streets. At age 28, Hernangomez is right at the prime of his career and has three big titles in his roll of honors: World Cup, EuroBasket and EuroLeague. Up next: trying to win the Greek League with Panathinaikos and then returning to the Spanish national time to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Even if the Olympics are not in Berlin, what a time to be alive for Juancho Hernangomez! 

Real Madrid v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-05-26T18:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos wins opening game in Greek finals

Olympiacos Piraeus struck first in the Greek League finals with an 84-89 victory over freshly crowned Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. The Reds took over with a big second-quarter run and never trailed in the second half. Thomas Walkup led six Olympiacos scorers in double figures with 17 points and 5 assists. Nigel Williams-Goss added 16 points and Nikola Milutinov dominated the paint with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Kostas Papanikolaou and Shaq McKissic contributed 11 points each and Filip Petrusev 10. Kendrick Nunn scored 21 to lead the Greens, Kostas Sloukas netted 16 with 5 assists and Mathias Lessort posted 14 points and 7 rebounds in defeat.

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ca" dir="ltr">Final 🏀 Basket League - Finals - Game 1: Παναθηναϊκός ΑΚΤΟΡ - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> 84-89 (40&#39;) <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/PAOOLY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAOOLY</a> <a href="https://t.co/qX9EWUEHII">pic.twitter.com/qX9EWUEHII</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1798447997602378151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The game had early swings as Milutinov’s three-point play punctuated a 9-18 start for the Reds. Back-to-back threes by Sloukas triggered a response as Panathinaikos rallied to within 17-19 after 10 minutes and Nunn gave the Greens the lead with a triple to open the second quarter. Petrusev netted 6 points in a 0-11 Olympiacos run that made 31-40 and a Milutinov slam pushed the margin to double figures. The margin stood at 37-46 at the break.

Juancho Hernangomez scored 5 straight points in the third quarter to bring Panathinaikos within 56-59, but Olympiacos responded quickly and Williams-Goss free throws at the end of the quarter left the visitors up 56-66. Threes by Walkup and Kostas Papanikolaou made it 57-72. Nunn heated up to breathe new life into the game and Sloukas got Panathinaikos within 3 in the closing seconds, but free throws by Walkup sealed the win for Olympiacos.

### Lithuania: Zalgiris falls to Rytas in OT in Game 1

Rytas Vilnius upset Zalgiris Kaunas 88-89 after overtime in the opening game of the Lithuanian League finals at Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas. Gytis Radzevicius made the go-ahead three for Rytas with 2 minutes left and – though Lukas Lekavicius and Dovydas Giedraitis twice brought the hosts within 1 – Zalgiris ran out of time to catch up. Radzevicius led five Rytas scorers in double figures with 19 points, Justin Gorham tallied 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and R.J. Cole also scored 15 to for the winners. Lekavicius paced Zalgiris with 21 points, Giedraitis added 16 and Laurynas Birutis 14. Rytas hosts Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Friday.

World-famous actor Bill Murray was present for the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, and he enjoyed it greatly.

The story of how Bill Murray attended the Final Four

The first semifinal at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was coming to an end and there was a commotion outside Berlin’s Uber Arena. Alongside fans eager to get in to watch Real Madrid and Olympiacos Piraeus lock horns, there was a VIP who had decided to show up on the off chance there was a spare ticket. That person was Bill Murray.

The 73-year-old had been made aware that the Final Four was taking place in Berlin thanks to his son, Luke, who is an assistant coach for the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team, the reigning back-to-back NCAA champions. Once Murray arrived at Uber Arena, the Euroleague Basketball staff acted quickly to accommodate the star of such movies as “Ghostbusters”, “Groundhog Day” and “Space Jam”.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bill Murray enjoying the Final 4 👏 <a href="https://t.co/5mvoli4Keb">pic.twitter.com/5mvoli4Keb</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1794067899004436907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fortunately for Mr. Murray, there were two Olympiacos courtside seats that were available – enough for Bill and his guest, fellow actor Marshall Bell. By the time they got comfortable, Real and Olympiacos’s semifinal clash was underway. *Los Blancos* were able to rush out to a 28-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and remained ahead the rest of the way, eventually winning 87-76. Speaking to the EuroLeague afterward, Murray was taken aback by the passion of the supporters.

“That’s some serious volume, that’s some real good noise,” said Murray. “I love that noise. That’s great noise. I’m a basketball lover. I don’t know either of these teams, but I’ve heard that they’re fun to watch. There are some great players, of course. It was a kick.”

Marshall Bell (left), Bill Murray (center) and Misko Raznatovic (right) in attendance at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four

For Murray, attending the Final Four was a good way to let his hair down. After all, he was temporarily based in Potsdam – about an hour’s drive from Berlin – shooting a new Wes Anderson movie, “The Phoenician Scheme”, with fellow actors Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera, so it was a good opportunity to watch the sport he loves and get a taste of the passion of a EuroLeague game.

With Friday’s semifinals in the books, Murray didn’t hesitate when it came to returning for championship game day on Sunday. As he made his way into Uber Arena ahead of the third-place game, Murray once again stopped to speak with the EuroLeague.

“I hadn’t heard enough about it because it’s much more exciting in person,” he declared. “Even getting into the stadium is a lot of laughs. It’s hilarious just to come through the singing crowds and all the people who are very, very excited, very emotional. They sing through the whole game, they shout through the whole game. The game is more physical I think than the NBA game, it’s a lot more physical game. I’m looking for a close game. So far, the games haven’t been close. I want a dogfight. I want to see a dogfight.”

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bill Murray on his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> and EuroLeague basketball experience so far 🔉 <a href="https://t.co/e8HNc2CxAa">pic.twitter.com/e8HNc2CxAa</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1794772796813525291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Courtside, Murray was able to once again chat with Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, as he did on the Friday. The three VIPs were then treated to a fascinating third-place game between Olympiacos and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, which finished 87-84 in the Reds’ favor, but Murray could not hang around for the championship game as he had filming commitments on the Monday.

Murray has been able to see what NCAA and NBA basketball is like back in the United States, but his time at the EuroLeague Final Four is something he won’t forget any time soon. The passion, the fans, the basketball – he enjoyed it all.

The legendary Bill Murray is a self-confessed “basketball lover”, so what better place to be than the EuroLeague Final Four?

Actor Bill Murray and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke with one another at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

Basketball fans were stunned to see the world-famous actor in Berlin

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-05-24T19:00:00.000Z)

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-05-24T16:00:00.000Z)

Olympiacos Piraeus v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-05-26T15:00:00.000Z)

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade re-signed swingman Rokas Giedraitis after a successful first season together

Zvezda re-signs Rokas Giedraitis

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade re-signed swingman [Rokas Giedraitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-giedraitis/006436/) after a successful first season together. The contract will keep them together through the 2025-26 season. Giedraitis (2.00 meters, 31 years old) averaged 10.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 34 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games last season. It was his fifth EuroLeague campaign with three different clubs. He previously suited up in the EuroLeague for Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and ALBA Berlin.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Contract extension! 🔒<br><br>Rokas Giedraitis will stay with red and whites for 2 more seasons! 🔴⚪️<br><br>Košarkaš Crvene zvezde Meridianbet Rokas Giedraitis produžio je vernost crveno-belima na još dve sezone!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrvenoBelaPorodica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrvenoBelaPorodica</a> <a href="https://t.co/OV6vaFhe4t">pic.twitter.com/OV6vaFhe4t</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1798336489555960160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Prior to his EuroLeague debut in 2019, Giedraitis established himself in the BKT EuroCup. Despite largely having a bench role during his three seasons with Lithuanian club Rytas Vilnius, he increased his numbers year on year. Then he moved to ALBA, where he posted 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.6 steals and a 15.8 PIR as the German club reached the 2019 EuroCup Finals. That year, the Lithuania international was named to the All-EuroCup First Team.

Earlier in his career, Giedraitis suited up for Saule-Aukstabalis Siauliai (2010-11), the University of Siauliai-ABRO Siauliai (2011-12), Mazeikiai (2012-13) and Siauliai (2013-15), all of which are in his native Lithuania. Giedraitis trophy case includes championship in Germany and the ABA League and national cups in Lithuania, Germany and Serbia.

The contract will keep them together through the 2025-26 season

Real Madrid Baloncesto followed a trend that has seen the No. 1 seed in the EuroLeague fail to win the title.

The first-place curse lives on

The wind was well and truly in Real Madrid’s sails coming into the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. Chus Mateo’s squad had set a new EuroLeague record for wins in the regular season by going 27-7, which saw them wrap up first place in the process, and then swept Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz in the playoffs. It looked like the infamous first-place curse was going to come to an abrupt end.

Even more so after Real managed to beat Olympiacos Piraeus 87-76 in the semifinals, having led the entire game. A shot at back-to-back EuroLeague titles was in play as *Los Blancos* prepared to take on Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the championship game, and things looked good at halftime, with Real leading 54-49. However, the 2023 champion was limited to just 26 second-half points as [the Greens flipped the script to come away with an 80-95 triumph](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/championship-game-live-real-madrid-vs-panathinaikos/).

For the first time since the current competition format was introduced in 2016, the top two teams from the regular season meet in the final. Real Madrid topped the standings after winning its first 10 games and finished with a 27-7 mark, while Panathinaikos soared late to place second at 23-11.

Real-Panathinaikos | Championshp Game Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

What that meant is that the first-place curse lives on. You would have to think that if a Real side that looked almost unstoppable all season long couldn’t break the spell, then who can? Ever since the introduction of the current round-robin format in the 2016-17 season, no leader at the end of the regular season has lifted the EuroLeague trophy in late May.

Curiously, the best positions to finish when it comes to winning the EuroLeague have been second, third or fifth, as there have been two winners from each of these spots over the last seven years. Panathinaikos (2023-24) and CSKA Moscow (2018-19) both became the champions after coming second, Real Madrid (2022-23) and Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2020-21) did so after finishing third, and Real (2017-18) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2016-17) won it all as the fifth seed. In 2021-22, Efes secured its second successive EuroLeague title after being sixth at the end of the regular season.

Leading the standings at the end of the regular season has even had a negative impact on reaching the championship game for a few years, with FC Barcelona becoming the first No. 1 seed to make it to the title decider in 2021. That came after Real (2017), CSKA (2018) and Fenerbahce (2019) lost in the semifinals. Barcelona ended up suffering that fate in 2022, but Olympiacos (2023) and Real (2024) both got to the championship game, before losing.

One would assume that having the best record in the regular season would be the best recipe for winning the EuroLeague title, but as we have seen over the last seven years, sometimes it makes sense to finish second, third... or even fifth or sixth.

Real Madrid's Walter Tavares reacts to a play during the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

Since the round-robin format was introduced in 2016-17, no top overall seed has lifted the EuroLeague Trophy

 Final Four Fans in photos 

The fans had photo opportunities with the trophy at the Fanzone in Kraftwerk

Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman takes a selfie with some young fans!

The Olympiacos proud filled the stands with red

Panathinaikos fans were some of the noisiest and certainly the happiest when it all ended!

Real Madrid fans ready to cheer for their team at the Final Four

More Panathinaikos fans before going inside the Uber Arena

The Real Madrid Berserkers follow the team everywhere it goes

Fenerbahce fans posing proud in front of the Uber Arena

The noisy Panathinaikos crowd doing its thing

Fenerbahce fans making osme noise for their team

A nice gathering of fans from different teams enjoying the Final Four weekend

The support of thousands of Panathinaikos fans was one of the key factors for the Greens to take their seventh European crown

Communion between Panathinaikos fans and players after winning the title!

Just like every year, the absolute protagonists of the Final Four were the fans that flocked to Berlin to cheer for their favorite teams. Here are some of the best images!