When you go to the big games to cheer on your team, you can take photos of your favorite players on the court in action, but getting photos of yourself rooting them on was more of a challenge. The EuroLeague Final Four makes it easy!

Motorola presents an AI-based program to capture fans in action at the Final Four. Photos will be taken in the stands and at the VIP Hospitality experience at Uber Arena as well as at the FanZone. Once your face is recognized, your photo will be shared directly to your smartphone.

All you need to do is go to <https://euroleague.getpica.com> and allow the service to record an image of your face with its AI facial recognition software. After that, each fan will receive a private folder with only the photos in which they appear. These photos can then be downloaded or shared on social media.

Use the #F4GLORY hashtag to make sure everyone sees you in action at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four!

Memories for the stars in the stands

The first do-or-die games of the 2014 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four come back-to-back on a busy Friday evening, with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul tipping off at 18:00 CEST, followed by Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos Piraeus at 21:00 CEST. After all the analysis in the run-up to the big event, [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) experts are asking four key questions that will be answered in the semifinals.

### Can Fenerbahce avoid a slow start?

Fenerbahce head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius will need his team to start the semifinal against Panathinaikos better than the Greens have been performing after tipoff throughout the 2023-24 season. [Fenerbahce was tied or trailed at the end of the first quarter in as many as 23 of its 39 games](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/standings/?season=2023-24&type=Ahead%20behind&phase=REGULAR%20SEASON) so far this campaign, including four of the team's five playoff games. That's not just more slow starts than any of the other teams in Berlin this weekend, but more than any team any playoff team, as well. In that series against AS Monaco, Fenerbahce trailed after the first quarter in each of the first three games and in Game 5. Still, it won all but one of those four games. Looking at the entire season, Fenerbahce went on to win 16 of 23 games when it was not ahead after the opening 10 minutes. So, one could say that Fenerbahce did not mind playing from behind too much, but one has to wonder if the team can afford more slow starts at the Final Four.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Panathinaikos Athens | Round 3 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### Can Mathias Lessort make his freebies?

If one Final Four player alone can make or break his team's chances, it may be Panathinaikos center [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/). The [All-EuroLeague First Team](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/meet-the-2023-24-all-euroleague-first-team/) center is a force of nature whose sole blemish this season was free throw shooting that teetered at 65.8% until the playoffs before plummeting to 41.2% during them, when he made just 21 of 51 tries at the line.  It's no accident that Lessort's 5.8 free throw attempts per game led all regular-season players while his whopping 10.2 in the playoffs more than doubled anyone else and ranked second all-time: Opponents would rather watch Lessort miss or even split free throws than dunk on them. [His 3-for-14 showing when he was last seen in Game 5 set a playoffs record for misses](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/lessort-found-redemption-at-the-end-of-game-5/) that was just 1 shy of the all-time EuroLeague record for free throw futility.

None of this is lost on Fenerbahce, of course, so we can expect to see Lessort standing still instead of soaring above the rim for many of his shots [in the first semifinal](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/panathinaikos-aktor-athens-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/E2023/331/#comparison). How Fenerbahce spends those fouls will condition its own chances, but expect a basketball rarity early on Friday when an army of Panathinaikos fans roar if and when Lessort makes his first free throw. 

Panathinaikos will live or die with Lessort because he does so many good things on the court, but also because his only backup, [Kostas Antetokounmpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-antetokounmpo/011221/), shoots even worse free throws, 40.9% for the season. Meanwhile, another of the most-fouled players in the league is their opponent, Fenerbahce's [Johnathan Motley](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johnathan-motley/011157/), who makes 71.2% and was seen finishing Thursday night's practice spending minutes on end at the free throw stripe.

Bangers gonna bang and dunkers gonna dunk, but only if they get that chance. If not, the first semifinal could turn on how well they handle their freebies.

### Can the Olympiacos bigs deal with Tavares and Poirier? 

Real Madrid star center [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) is the only former Final Four MVP playing in Berlin this weekend. Tavares has been a headache and a natural-born mismatch for all opponents everywhere. He has changed endless shots on defense with his long arms, quick feet and outstanding timing.  On offense, Tavares has developed a set of post moves, becoming a reliable mid-range jumper and free throw shooter. Together with [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/), Tavares has dominated pretty much every other frontcourt they've played. That said, however, Real's semifinals opponent, Olympiacos Piraeus, has plenty of depth at the "five" position. [Moses Wright](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moses-wright/012878/) has been a great addition and [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/) is finally healthy and ready to dominate the boards along with [Moustapha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/moustapha-fall/008811/). When these teams played in Round 12, Tavares and Poirier combined for 11 points and 8 rebounds. Tavares missed his team's game against the Reds in Round 23, in which Poirier had 7 points and 9 rebounds. Real won both games. Can Real's bigs dominate the Reds' frontcourt in such an important game? 

A rematch of 22/23's championship game sees Real aiming to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Monaco as it hosts dangerous Olympiacos, which got back into the groove by easily downing Maccabi. Can the reigning-champs reaffirm their prowess or will the guests be able to strike revenge.

Real Madrid-Olympiacos Piraeus | Round 23 Highlights | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

### How much does experience matter?

Those with Final Four experience will tell you it makes a world of difference. And for this season’s semifinalists, that encompasses nearly all the key players from both Real Madrid and Olympiacos. On the other hand, it is hard to imagine Panathinaikos winning the first semifinal without getting strong production from some of the following key contributors: [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), Lessort, [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/), [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/), [Marius Grigonis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marius-grigonis/002328/) and Antetokounmpo. All are Final Four first-timers. In face, everyone on the Greens' roster except [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) and [Ioannis Papapetrou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/ioannis-papapetrou/005161/) are making their Final Four debuts on Friday. Their semifinals opponent, Fenerbahce, has a little more Final Four experience, but key players [Scottie Wilbekin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/scottie-wilbekin/006661/), Motley, [Georgios Papagiannis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/georgios-papagiannis/005844/) and [Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dyshawn-pierre/010560/) are all new to the big dance. 

So these facts beg the question: How much does Final Four experience matter? Nunn has played in the NBA Finals. Lessort has a medal from the Basketball World Cup. Grigonis and Vildoza have played at the Olympics. How much will those experiences prepare them? What about Wilbekin? He has played eight EuroLeague seasons and is the leading scorer among players to have never made the Final Four. That will change tonight when he takes the floor. Will all that experience plus a EuroCup championship run as MVP of those finals prepare him for the Final Four pressure? We will be able to approach the question of how much experience matters with more subjects after this season's first semifinal. 

We asked the EuroLeague.net staff what four questions they are left with needing answers for as the semifinals look in Berlin on Friday.

Four final questions before Friday's semis

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

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

What can we learn about the four remaining contenders for the EuroLeague crown from their statistics? Plenty!

A look at the Final Four teams by the numbers

A couple of the teams that are battling for the EuroLeague crown in Berlin have thrived on defense, another two ruled on offense. Not all four teams did well in close games, while several key players from each team hope to bring their playoff form to the Final Four.

### Will defenses make an impact (again)?

Last season we witnessed a low-scoring Final Four where no team scored 80 points in any of the four games and in three of those, the losing side was held to 66 points or fewer. This season, Olympiacos arrives in Berlin with the best scoring defense, having held opponents to 74.4 points, and Panathinaikos ranks second in that category with a defense that has allowed 77.8 points per contest.

Olympiacos's strength is holding opponents to 51.3% two-point shooting, a category in which Real Madrid ranked first this season (51.0%). Panathinaikos allowed 34.0% on three-pointers, which was second-best in the league and the same percentage as Real.

These are not the only stellar defensive numbers by the Final Four teams.

Olympiacos leads the league in steals (7.1 spg.) and EuroLeague Best Defender [Thomas Walkup](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/thomas-walkup/008855/) leads all players [with 60 steals](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals). He is accountable for 21.7% of all steals that Olympiacos recorded this season.

Real Madrid leads the league in blocks (3.6 pbg.) with [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) (1.51 bpg.) and [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/) (1.50 bpg.) as the league's [top two shot-blockers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&seasonCode=E2023&statisticMode=perGame&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour). Poirier's and Tavares's combined total of 101 blocks entering this Final Four is[ 13 more than the entire Fenerbahce team](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-teams/?size=1000&misc=&seasonCode=E2023&category=BlocksFavour&seasonMode=Single&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated), and just 4 blocks fewer than the entire Olympiacos team – and in fewer games, too.

### How the teams did in close games

When it comes to games decided by 5 points or fewer in regulation, or games that went into overtime, the Final Four teams had different success during the regular season and the playoffs. Olympiacos did the best in such games and [had the most of them](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/standings/?season=2023-24&type=Margins&phase=REGULAR%20SEASON) with a 13-5 record. Among those, the Reds played four overtime games and were 3-1 in them.

Real Madrid was 10-4 in games decided by 5 or fewer points or overtime. Their games went into extra sessions three times and *Los Blancos* won two of those, including a four-overtime classic against Anadolu Efes Istanbul in January.

Fenerbahce had the most overtime games with six and won all but one of them, including twice after overtime in its five-game playoff series. But Fenerbahce is only 3-8 in games decided by 5 points or less in regulation.

Meanwhile, Panathinaikos is 4-7 in games decided by 5 or fewer points or overtime and lost each of its three overtime games this season.

### Star players who elevated their performances in the playoffs

Some of the EuroLeague's biggest stars stepped up in a major way during the playoffs and are poised to continue the trend in Berlin.

Tavares averaged 9.6 points with 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in the regular season, but had 10.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and a playoff single-series record 2.7 blocks in the playoffs. [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) improved his 6.5 points and 0.7 three-pointers made per game on 35.6% shooting to 11.8 points and 1.8 triples per game on 40.0% shooting.[ Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/), who had 12.1 points for Panathinaikos during the regular season, improved that to 15.2 in the playoffs.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard Kendrick Nunn dominated in the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, averging 19.2 points, 3.2 triples made on 51.6% shooting in the series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

Kendrick Nunn's top plays in the 2024 playoffs

[Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) had 15.4 points, making 1.8 threes on 38.5% accuracy before the playoffs. Then his numbers jumped to 19.2 points and 3.2 triples made on 51.6% shooting in the series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. The numbers skyrocketed to 26.0 points, 4.7 triples made on 56.0% shooting in the final three games of the series.

Olympiacos's [Shaquielle McKissic's](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/) contribution improved across the board. After playing 14:30 per game and posting 5.9 points on 29.6% three-point shooting with 1.1 rebounds and just 0.8 assists and 0.7 steals in the regular season, McKissic shined with 12.0 points on 35.3% shooting, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals in the playoffs. [Filip Petrusev](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/filip-petrusev/011194/) went from 5.5 points on 48.2% two-point shooting and 3.2 rebounds, to 10.2 points on 58.1% shooting and 4.4 rebounds in a series against FC Barcelona.

Meanwhile, their teammate [Nikola Milutinov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nikola-milutinov/003941/), who started the playoffs after recovering from injury, posted 9.0 points on 77.8% shooting and 10.5 rebounds in the last two games of the playoffs, improving on 8.5 points, 61.0% shooting and 5.6 rebounds in 21 regular-season appearances.

### Fener's offense before and after Saras

Fenerbahce enters the Final Four having allowed 34.5% shooting on three-pointers, and 54.1% on twos, which ranks fifth and eighth respectively, but the asset that got the team this far has not been its defense, rather the team's offense, especially since Coach Saras Jasikevicius took over mid-December.

Before the coaching change, in 13 games under Coach Dimitris Itoudis, the team averaged 80.8 points. Over the 26 games since then, that average went up to 86.8 points per game.

The most significant change has been Fenerbahce's tendency to shoot three-pointers and it did so more successfully than any other team in the league.

Under Itoudis, Fenerbahce finished five of 13 games making less than 10 triples and averaged 10.2 triples per game. With Jasikevicius, that number went up to 12.2, finishing only six of 26 games with fewer than 10 made three-pointers.

For the entire season, the team average is an all-time best 11.5 threes, which is nearly 0.4 triples per game more than the previous single-season record. Fenerbahce attempts 29.1 threes per game, third-most ever, and enters the Final Four shooting a league-best 39.5% from downtown this season.

The FanZone at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in the German capital promises to be among the largest and most exciting ever. The three-day event at Kraftwerk Berlin will be packed with engaging activities, stores and indoor and outdoor spots to sample the gastronomy of Berlin, making it the perfect place for sports fans to visit or for casual passers-by to be entertained. 

The FanZone at Kraftwerk Berlin is the place to be at the Final Four

The FanZone at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in the German capital promises to be among the largest and most exciting ever. The four-day event at [Kraftwerk Berlin](https://kraftwerkberlin.de/en/) will be packed with engaging activities, stores and indoor and outdoor spots to sample the gastronomy of Berlin, making it the perfect place for sports fans to visit or for casual passers-by to be entertained.

As always, the main events at the FanZone revolve around basketball. In addition to scheduled appearances by players from the Final Four teams on Saturday morning, the main court and half-court will host 3x3 and 5x5 tournament games every day. There will also be One Team sessions with Final Four players and ambassadors, and the annual ANGT slam dunk & three-point shootout on Saturday evening with Euroleague Legends as the judges.

Basketball is a team sport and so is the FanZone! When the games of the Final Four are being played, fans can enjoy a watch party at Kraftwerk Berlin’s Main Stage with the broadcasts on a giant screen. That same spot will also host a concert on Saturday evening and live podcasts all weekend long.

The Euroleague Basketball family of partners is offering several stands for fans to visit. Turkish Airlines will set up a 360º rotating selfie photo booth alongside other games to play for prizes. Motorola will include a spot for fans to test their vertical leap and shooting skills. BKT offers fans the exclusive chance to be photographed with the EuroLeague Trophy and to play arcade games. OlyTV Studio will introduce a virtual reality three-point shooting game. And you won’t be able to leave the FanZone without your merch from the Spalding store.

The FanZone will have edible treats available for purchase as well. At the beer garden and food market, fans can find Gaston, Style your Burger, Noodeli, Berliner Genussmanufaktur Ice Cream and the Uludag food truck with the best doner kebabs in town.

Kraftwerk Berlin in the district of Mitte is a trendy exhibition hall set up on the site of an old thermal power plant. In the past, it has hosted concerts, operas, art shows and Ted Talks. And now it will play a central role as Berlin takes on the honor of global sports capital for the weekend of May 24 to 26.

The trendy spot in the German capital will host the annual FanZone from May 24 to 26. Meet players, see the EuroLeague Trophy, and enjoy games, food and fun.

The FanZone at Kraftwerk Berlin is the place to be at the Final Four 

Team Barcelona, led by the influencers Tresco and Ari Geli, won the EuroLeague's Hoop District Tournament in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday.

Hoop District Finals: Team Barcelona is the first-ever champion!

After a thrilling evening of basketball and entertainment, the 2024 Hoop District champion has been crowned as Team Barcelona beat Team Berlin 22-7 in the final. Led by team captain [Tresco](https://www.instagram.com/tresco_ball) and co-star [Ari Geli](https://www.instagram.com/arigelii/), Team Barcelona lost 18-20 to [C-Bas](https://www.instagram.com/cbas/)’s Team Berlin earlier in the evening but were able to exact some revenge once the €10,000 cash prize was on the line.

Team Berlin was the favorite heading into the final after being the only team to go a perfect 3-0, but Tresco’s Team Barcelona squad caught fire at just the right time to emerge as the champion. In particular, Tresco hit back-to-back three-pointers in the final minutes and then struck once more to guarantee the victory.

After a thrilling evening of basketball and entertainment, the 2024 Hoop District champion has been crowned as Team Barcelona beat Team Berlin 22-7 in the final. Led by team captain Tresco and co-star Ari Geli, Team Barcelona lost 18-20 to C-Bas’s Team Berlin earlier in the evening but were able to exact some revenge once the €10,000 cash prize was on the line.

Hoops District/Off-Court gave the Final Four a new twist

As soon as the final buzzer sounded, Tresco and Ari Geli immediately sought each other before coming together as a group to celebrate. Speaking immediately afterward, Tresco told [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net): “It’s unreal. First of all, I want to say thanks to the EuroLeague for organizing this. I know it’s a huge effort from them and I think us as creators have to support this, take the best out of it, create content around \[it\] because this has to stay for a long time.”

In fact, Tresco is already thinking about how Team Barcelona can defend their crown next year.

“I think this is huge, it’s the start of something new,” he added. “Next year we will be back and we’ll go for the second crown. Congrats to all the teams, it was so fun – in Paris and here in Berlin.”

<center>
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It was Team Barcelona which got the Hoop District Finals underway, beating [SBB](https://www.instagram.com/sbb_uk/)’s Team London 19-17 in the opening game. Team Berlin caused the first big upset of the day by coming out on top against [Jamad Hussean](https://www.instagram.com/_jamaaad)’s All-Star Team, 21-12, then Team Berlin got another win by knocking off Team Barcelona, 20-18. Team London got back on track by grabbing a 17-12 win against the All-Star Team, which saw Jamad Hussean’s side get eliminated. Tresco and Team Barcelona also responded to a defeat by securing a 21-10 triumph over the All-Star Team. To finish the games before the final, Team Berlin beat Team London 14-18 to give themselves a chance to play for the cash prize.

- GAME 1: Team Barcelona 19-17 Team London
- GAME 2: Team Berlin 21-12 All-Star Team
- GAME 3: Team Berlin 20-18 Team Barcelona
- GAME 4: Team London 17-12 All-Star Team
- GAME 5: Team Barcelona 21-10 All-Star Team
- GAME 6: Team London 14-18 Team Berlin
- FINAL: Team Berlin 7-22 Team Barcelona

The team led by Tresco and Ari Geli took home the €10,000 prize

### Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach

"Olympiacos is an unbreakable team on defense. They hold the game to fewer possessions and don't allow you to have a lot of freedom on offense. We like to play fluid, fun-to-watch basketball and they will want us not to make the most out of those skills. They are solid defensively and manage to slow down the game, preventing the opponent from finding advantages. It is an extraordinary, championship-level club. Good people make good clubs, and Olympiacos is full of good people. Bartzokas is the soul of the team, an absolute leader. He is a mirror in which I look up to and a gentleman off the court. He gives the club poise and character. They always return to the game even if they are losing. We won't reach 100 points against Olympiacos and will have to fight for ever ball. Defense is key for them to win the championship, and this is what brought us here. Olympiacos has very good frontcourt players and competes well in the paint, with a lot of resources. They also have players able to generate plays. They have their weapons and we have ours."

### Facu Campazzo, Real Madrid guard

"We have to trust the work we have been putting in during these last 8-9 months, to have confidence in that. We have worked very well and that will not change from one day to another. We have to carry on this way and trust each other. Olympiacos plays very good defense in all pick-and-roll aspects. We have to try to play our game and impose our identity, our playing style, running the floor. I think it will be key to control the rebounds. They play really well in the last 6-7 seconds \[of each possession\], that's where they get stronger. We have to be patient because we will have to play defense on long possessions."

### Dzanan Musa, Real Madrid forward

"We will try to be the first team to win the title after finishing first in the regular season. The tradition is not in our favor, but we believe. We don't trust the tradition. We trust our work during the season. I was in tryouts with Olympiacos when I was 13 or 14, and I had one or two practices with Coach Bartzokas and I know how great of a coach he is. All their players have so much confidence because of him.

"Olympiacos has a lot of talent, and we respect them and we know they are very dangerous. As a matter of fact, I think each team here deserves to be here. It will come down to who is more prepared, and also who is luckier. But I think we had a great season so far, finishing first in a EuroLeague that some say was the best ever. We are enjoying the moment and enjoying defending the title."

### Rudy Fernandez, Real Madrid forward

"We play against a historic team with very good players. We know them first-hand and in this type of competition, we have to focus on our own work, knowing that we play against a very good opponent with a lot of experience. If we play at our usual level as we were during the season, we will have a very good chance to make it to another final. We know we play against a team that fights hard and is very physical. We must be tough from the beginning of the game. They will have a lot of fans in the stands. We are in front of a very good, yet very demanding opportunity."

Game Videos

### Luke Sikma, Olympiacos Piraeus forward  

"Their record speaks for themselves. Real Madrid had an unbelievable year as defending champs. Obviously a lot of offensive firepower and playing a high pace. We have to do our work defensively and try to control the pace. There's going to be some big boys battling it out down there tomorrow, a lot of size, so it will be fun to watch again on both sides of the anchors of the defense. It's going to be tough to get an easy bucket tomorrow. They want to play really fast, and we don't want to play into their game. So more than anything, we want to be solid defensively and trust that we will get the shots we want on offense. That's the plan."

### Nikola Milutinov, Olympiacos Piraeus center 

"The ticket for the game was hard to find, even for the family, but we managed to get some. I came to win the title with Olympiacos, and that would be the crown of my career. Real has quality at each position, it is not just their centers. But I think we also have a quality roster and we can match them. We have to give extra effort to win. The entire season they showed they have the best offense. They played phenomenal basketball and they deserved to be first. We have to be careful with the basketball, try to set a slower rhythm. If we allow them to play in their own rhythm, we don't stand a chance, it will be an easy game for them."

### Alec Peters, Olympiacos Piraeus forward  

"I think we match up pretty well against them. I think we did both times against them in the regular season. We know what's at stake here with them being the defending champ, them beating us last year in the championship game and hopefully that can carry us and keep us inspired. And tomorrow it can be anybody's game. We have to control a lot. Defensively, they have great pace, a lot of offensive weapons that can hurt you from everywhere. So our defensive game has to be at its best. It's got to be one of our best of the season and that's what guides us and that's what gives us momentum hopefully in the offensive end as well. We can't give them a whole lot of room defensively... I still remember not playing one minute in the championship game last year, so that still sits with me and it's not a great feeling. Now that I'm back here, I'm hoping for a different story and hoping for a different result."

Game News

The second semifinal is a rematch of last season’s championship game, which came down to the final shot before Real Madrid triumphed. 

Alec Peters, Olympiacos: 'It's anybody's game'

### Kostas Sloukas, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard

"It's going to be difficult. We know how difficult it is to play against Fenerbahce. We lost our first game there, against a different coach, but it is going to be really difficult. They won in a tough place like Monaco, but we hope that we will have a lot of Panathinaikos fans in the stands. We count on their support and on the team's winning mentality. Being in a team like this makes you think in a different way, with a winning mentality. They changed the way I saw things."

### Luca Vildoza, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard

"Until I came here, I didn't feel the adrenalin that comes with being here. It feels different. I have fought for many years to be in a Final Four and to be honest, being here is spectacular. In the end, I am here in a Final Four, playing for one of the greatest teams in Europe. I am in my first Final Four and I hope many more will come. I am happy to be here, ready to enjoy it and if I have the chance to be on the court, I will make the most of it."

### Mathias Lessort, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens center

"It doesn’t matter that we haven’t been here for 12 years, it’s a Final Four. It’s important. It’s a big game for all four teams. It’s tremendous that we got here. I hope that tomorrow night the achievement will be that we made the final. We played Fenerbahce in the preseason and twice in the regular season. We are professionals, we follow games, we watch games. There are a lot of guys who have been there for years. A lot of guys we have played against each other for years. So we know each other well, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be about being focused, being aggressive on the court, being ready to fight and get the job done. At the end of the day, it’s a basektabll game. We’re in a hotel like we usually do. We have to try to keep the same schedule we usually do. We have to approach it as a basketball game, be as focused as we can and come with a sense of urgency."

### Ioannis Papapetrou, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward

"We are a brand new team with a lot of new players. We needed the time. We had some early injuries during the season. We needed the time to fight, to play better and be in a better position. As far as Fener, for sure, they needed time, too. They changed coaches, and the new coach brought a lot of new things to the team, and he added a lot of his character to the team. So I think both of us evolved during the season and played our best basketball now. It would be great to limit their three-point shooters and more importantly for me, their creation. They shoot the ball well because they move the ball well and they have great shooters, but they know how to move the ball and get their guys open. So we have to limit that and be over-aggressive to their creation."

### Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach

“As we’re facing the next level of the competition, it’s obvious everything has to improve: our preparation, our discipline, our physicality… everything. Basically, a lot of the difficulties Panathinaikos presents would be similar to Monaco: great guard play, everybody exactly understanding what their roles are, an experienced coach. But at the same time, all the small details like how this is a big game and we are constantly talking about small details. One ball, one turnover, correctly made foul can change the outcome of the game. We need to be ready and every player needs to give 1 or 2 minutes if necessary.”

### Dyshawn Pierre, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward

"It's honestly an honor. I feel everyone's really excited to be here, and we are just happy. Obviously, tomorrow is going to be a really big game, so we are excited for it, and ready... It's going to be a tough game against Panathinaikos tomorrow. We have to lock in on our principles, starting with defense. When we are hitting shots, we are obviously good but if we are playing really good defense, we are really good, too. We are going to take some things from the two \[regular-season\] games that we played. But I think each team is going to make adjustments. We have to be able to read the game and do what we think is going to be best for us. Our coaching staff has done a great job outlining it for us for the two weeks that we have been preparing."

### Marko Guduric, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard

“The semifinals of the EuroLeague. I mean what can I say? It's one game. We are doing our best to prepare. We are going to be ready for this. We play against a very good opponent with a coach we know really well and also some players. The key is going to be concentration and keeping composure because everybody is going to be nervous. There is a lot of pressure. So we just have to be composed and calm. I think that is the key for us.”

### Scottie Wilbekin, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard

"I think turnovers could play a big role and obviously just making shots. If we can limit our turnovers, that will put us in a good position… It would be amazing to win. That is the goal every season. If we are able to do it, that would be amazing.”

Two teams making their Final Four returns after many years away will also face off at the European basketball showcase for the first time. 

Luca Vildoza, Panathinaikos: 'Being here is spectacular'

Feel the action with the bodycams technology

The fans wanted it and here they have it: MindFly returns for the Final Four

Following on from the successful collaboration between Euroleague Basketball and MindFly during the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the partnership is ready to go to another level at the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany.

At the Final Four, two referees per game will be using MindFly’s cutting-edge technology for the EuroLeague Semifinals and the EuroLeague Championship Game, as ultralight AI powered bodycams which record video and audio capture conversations between players and officials. This will offer fans unprecedented access to the biggest games in the EuroLeague calendar.

EuroLeague fans were able to get a peek behind the curtain for some of the biggest derbies of the season thanks to MindFly’s equipment, with six derbies being featured in the 2023-24 campaign: [Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/experience-el-clasico-like-never-before/); [AS Monaco vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/go-right-on-court-with-monaco-and-asvel/); [Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/join-virtus-bologna-olimpia-milano-on-the-floor-euroleague-derby-ditalia/); [Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mindfly-referee-cams-went-inside-the-istanbul-derby/); [Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/go-inside-the-belgrade-derby-with-mindflys-referee-cams/); and [Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/the-greek-derby-like-youve-never-seen-it-before/).

Later in the regular season, two FC Bayern Munich players wore the technology during [a regular-season contest against Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/see-the-euroleague-action-with-first-ever-mindfly-player-cams/), as fans could see how Niels Giffey and Isaac Bonga move and interact with both their teammates and opposition players on the court.

MindFly and Euroleague Basketball have already broken new ground with this type of technology, with fans loving this type of content, but on the Final Four stage – with so many eyeballs on the event – new streaming records are almost guaranteed to be achieved.

The first official act of the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was the opening Press Conference, which was held in the grand lobby at Uber Arena in the German capital. Coach Chus Mateo and Walter Tavares represented defending champion Real Madrid, Coach Georgios Bartzokas and Kostas Papanikolaou were there from Olympiacos Piraeus, Coach Ergin Ataman and Kostas Sloukas from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, and Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and Nigel Hayes-Davis from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Here are the moments basketball fans need to be aware of from the hour-long event. 

The best of the opening press conference

The first official act of the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four was the opening Press Conference, which was held in the grand lobby at Uber Arena in the German capital. Coach Chus Mateo and Walter Tavares represented defending champion Real Madrid, Coach Georgios Bartzokas and Kostas Papanikolaou were there from Olympiacos Piraeus, Coach Ergin Ataman and Kostas Sloukas from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, and Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and Nigel Hayes-Davis from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Here are the moments basketball fans need to be aware of from the hour-long event. 

### The coaches trade compliments, not jabs

Mutual respect was on display from the very beginning as all four head coaches made sure to play nicely against their opponents. In his opening statement, Mateo said that Olympiacos has “the heart of a champion” and that the Reds are “gentlemen on the court and on the bench. We respect them a lot.” Bartzokas later called Real “a winning machine.”

### Keep an eye out for Nigel’s kicks

Earlier this season, Hayes-Davis adopted a pet cat named Sly that was found in the VIP Room of Ulker Sports and Event Hall and he was asked about whether Sly was with him in Berlin. Though he answered in the negative, the Fenerbahce forward shared some news that fans will have to watch for: “I do have some custom shoes dedicated to her that I’ll be wearing.”

### It’s about the little things… and luck 

“It’s a matter of which team will be in the best shape, on the best day, small details and a bit of luck, because luck is part of sports.  This is what defines who is going to be the final winner,” said Papanikolaou.

Sloukas agreed. “In these kinds of games, tactics in one hand, but most important is how much you want to win. Talking about rebounds, small things, steals, easy baskets, how to use fouls. These are the most important things in these kinds of games,” the Panathinaikos guard continued. “Luck is part of the game, especially in a 40-minute game, and I hope luck will be with us.” 

“These games come down to the details,” Hayes-Davis added. “The rebounds, loose balls. Those are the plays that when you go to sleep after losing, or a year or two from now, when you think about why you lost the game, you think about that rebound that you should have got if you had taken an extra step or were in the right spot.”

### There are no favorites

“Coach Bartzokas said that we are four of the best teams in the EuroLeague and none of us are undefeated, which means that anyone can be beaten on any night,” Hayes Davis said in his opening statement. 

“There is always pressure when you come to play in the Final Four. When you get so close to the trophy, it is normal,” added Papanikolaou. “Media usually is the one who represents who is the favorite or not. I don’t believe in that. I believe that each team that is here has the same percentage. It is two games to win the trophy.”

### Memories from 2009

One of the lightest moments of the press conference came when Jasikevicius was asked about his memories of winning the EuroLeague as a Panathinaikos player in 2009. He started off by calling it “the best Final Four in terms of quality, the best Final Four in terms of games coming down to the last shot.” One of those games was the semifinals between the two Greek clubs when Kostas Sloukas played for Olympiacos. 

“Kostas \[Sloukas\] told me on the way to the stage that he was left out of the 12 for the semifinal. I didn’t know that,” Jasikevicius said before pivoting to Ataman with some advice. “By the way, Ergin, you should think about this strategy for tomorrow… Maybe think about it.”

Ataman replied: “You know, when we beat you in OAKA this year, Kostas was injured and out of the team!”

And Jasikevicius told him: “So don’t change what is working!”

### Doing it for Rudy

Three-time champion Rudy Fernandez has announced that this will be his final season and the Real Madrid representatives spoke glowingly of the veteran. 

“He is extra motivated, probably for this reason, Mateo said of Fernandez. “We all know that he is going to leave professional basketball from the summer probably and we will try to gift him the last trophy for him. This is one of the reasons we are fighting.”

Tavares added: “That is one of my motivations. As a fan he is one of my favorite players. What he does on the court, what he does off the court… For me, one of the biggest motivations is to help him win the EuroLeague in his last season.”  