What can we learn about the semifinals from the duels between Fenerbahce Beko and Panathinaikos BC or the clashes between Olympiacos BC and AS Monaco? 

Examining regular-season matchups to understand the semifinals

Thanks to the league format of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, no teams can meet in the postseason without having previously butted heads twice in the regular season. What can we learn about the semifinals from the duels between [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul-panathinaikos-aktor-athens/E2024/328/) or the clashes between [Olympiacos Piraeus and AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/game-center/2024-25/olympiacos-piraeus-as-monaco/E2024/327/)? Below is just some of the data that is useful to know ahead of the games on Friday, May 23.

### Fenerbahce vs. Panathinaikos

The Greens are 4-1 against Fenerbahce in the Ergin Ataman era with wins in the last four games. This season, those victories were [a 76-81 road win in Round 5](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-roars-back-for-a-thrilling-76-81-win-at-fenerbahce/) and [a 91-90 thriller in Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-edges-fenerbahce-91-90-in-a-titanic-tussle/) in Round 25 in February. [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) was Panathinaikos’s best weapon against Fener this season with 13 points on near-perfect shooting and 3 assists for a PIR of 20 in less than 20 minutes in the first meeting and 23 points in the second clash.

Fenerbahce star [Nigel Hayes-Davis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nigel-hayes-davis/008962/)’s two games against Panathinaikos could not have been more different. In the first, he scored a season-low 3 points and had a PIR of negative-4. It was one of six games in his three seasons with Fener in which Hayes-Davis had a negative PIR. Two of those came against Panathinaikos. The next time they met, he was back to his old self with 21 points and 9 boards for a PIR of 26.

The rosters also underwent changes between the two meetings. Panathinaikos centers [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) and [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/) combined for 26 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks against Fener in October. Neither played in February. [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/), who was a non-factor for the Greens in Round 5 (2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 PIR in 28 minutes) was a major factor in Round 25 with 15 points and 8 boards for a PIR of 20.

Fenerbahce's second-best scorer in both games against Panathinaikos was a guard who did not play in the other game. The first time it was [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/) with 14 points and 4 assists, but an injury kept him from playing in the rematch. [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), who was not yet with the club in their first Panathinaikos encounter, poured in 18 in the second. With both healthy for the semifinal, the Fenerbahce backcourt is that much stronger.

When it comes to team numbers, very little has separated these teams. For instance, they were nearly identical on the boards (Fenerbahce took 1 rebound more than Panathinaikos over the two games). Where they were different was in turnovers and outside shooting. Fenerbahce’s 13.5 turnovers per game against Panathinaikos were 4.0 more than the Greens committed. However, Fenerbahce made up for that by bagging 25 of 61 three-pointers (40.9%), while Panathinaikos made only 18, though at slightly better accuracy (41.9%).

### Olympiacos vs. Monaco

Olympiacos and Monaco split their two regular-season meetings this season, with each triumphing on the road. The Reds raced to [an 80-89 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/olympiacos-sinks-monaco-80-89-handing-spanoulis-first-defeat/) in Round 13 before Monaco claimed [a 77-80 victory](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/spanouliss-monaco-downs-olympiacos-77-80/) at Peace & Friendship Stadium in Round 32. The stars did not disappoint in either encounter, though it is worth noting that [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/), the [EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mike-james-becomes-the-euroleague-all-time-leading-scorer/), did most of his damage as a passer.

James dished a dozen assists in both games against Olympiacos, while scoring 10 in the first encounter and 11 in the second. The Olympiacos defense held James to 40% shooting on two-pointers and 30% on threes. Monaco's best scorer against Olympiacos this season has been [Jaron Blossomgame](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jaron-blossomgame/011231/) with 30 points between the two games, including a career-high 18 in Round 32. [Alpha Diallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alpha-diallo/011226/) scored 21 in Round 13.

[Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) was his rock-solid self against Monaco with averages of 17.5 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2 steals in the two games. In the game at Monaco, [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) and [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/) combined for 37 points, but they accounted for just 13 in the home leg, in which [Alec Peters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/alec-peters/008829/) scored 15.

Olympiacos outrebounded Monaco by an average of 6 rebounds per game, though both teams played without complete frontcourts at times and should be deeper in Abu Dhabi. Foul shooting had an impact on the results in both games. Monaco shot only 4 times from the charity stripe – and made only 2 – in the game that it lost and Olympiacos was an abysmal 19 for 33 (57.6%) when it lost as five players missed multiple free throws.

Could foul shooting be what decided the outcome of this game? Will it be a strong shooting night from Mike James? Or a moment of brilliance from Sasha Vezenkov? Or someone unexpected stepping up? I know you can’t wait to find out!

Let’s see what we can learn from the games the semifinalists played against each other this season

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

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

The mid-season signings who helped their teams reach the Final Four

Sometimes adding a player to the roster mid-season can be the difference between a team achieving its goals or falling just short. Ahead of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, all four clubs – [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/), [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) and [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) – signed at least one player during the regular season, with four of these individuals set to play important roles in Abu Dhabi.

In terms of name and prestige, Monaco beating out competition from both sides of the Atlantic to sign [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) in mid-February has to go down as a master stroke. Overnight, coach Vassilis Spanoulis saw his team go from a side that could maybe reach the Final Four to potential title contenders.

Theis, who is averaging 12.2 points and a team-high 5.4 rebounds entering the Final Four, played the final eight regular-season games before appearing in all five games against FC Barcelona in the playoffs. With 452 NBA games under his belt, the 33-year-old won’t be overawed by playing at the Final Four and will be eager to leave his mark as Monaco goes in search of its first EuroLeague championship.

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Another player who will be feeling confident ahead of his first Final Four is [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), who joined Fenerbahce in early January. The veteran guard is in his 15th season overseas and, even at 37, remains a source of instant offense for Fenerbahce. He arrived at a time when the team was suffering with plenty of injuries, but he settled in immediately and heads into the Final Four as the team’s second leading scorer (11.5 ppg.).

McCollum was initially brought in to cover for injuries to Wade Baldwin and Scottie Wilbekin, but with Baldwin available since Round 27, Fenerbahce has a 1-2 punch at the guard positions that will cause plenty of headaches for defending champ Panathinaikos in the semifinals. A 2016 BKT EuroCup champion with Galatasaray, McCollum will be determined to add a EuroLeague championship to his résumé in Abu Dhabi.

<center>
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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DExrz3joWDW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Errick McCollum (@errickm3)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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Speaking of the Greens, the broken fibula suffered by Mathias Lessort in Round 17 could have thrown their season into disarray. Eventual MVP Kendrick Nunn took his game to another level, but at center Panathinaikos was light – and even more so when Omer Yurtseven (who has now returned) went down. [As he revealed on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7reD5qyjQ34&list=PLXcjy-GNBj1yVF3i2kWIseta5qBjEJSmP&index=2), Nunn quickly spoke with management to recommend his former teammate from the Los Angeles Lakers, [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/), and a few days later – on December 23 – he was at OAKA.

Gabriel blocked 5 shots on his Panathinaikos debut in Round 18 and went on to finish the regular season with averages of 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 17 games. While the South Sudan international struggled to make an impact in the first four games of Panathinaikos’s playoff series with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, he stepped up in the win-or-go-home Game 5 with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block to help book the Greens’ passage to the Final Four.

<center>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXA8WMJZed/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXA8WMJZed/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXA8WMJZed/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Wenyen Gabriel (@wenyengabriel)</a></p></div></blockquote>
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Just south of Athens, [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/) landed at Olympiacos minutes before the transfer deadline on February 26. It has been quite the debut season in Europe for Lee. After creating shockwaves with Turkish side Manisa Basket, he got a shot with EuroLeague side Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, where he played eight times and made several highlight reels. He soon returned to Manisa, but a call from Olympiacos – and a contract until 2027 – saw him join the Reds.

Working his way into coach Georgios Bartzokas’s well-oiled machine on the fly has been a difficult task, but there have been reasons for optimism in his 11 appearances, including good minutes in the playoffs against Real Madrid, posting 5.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG and a 7.2 PIR. Even if Lee is more a signing for the future, he has the chance to emerge and make a real name for himself at the Final Four.

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The fight for the EuroLeague title begins with the semifinals on May 23 and will end with the championship game on May 25. Perhaps after the title decider, fans will look back fondly on the impact one of these mid-season signings made in Abu Dhabi.

These four players made a significant impact after joining during the regular season

Ahead of the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, Olympiacos BC star Sasha Vezenkov appeared on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the Reds' Media Day. 

Playoffs MVP Sasha Vezenkov joins the pre-Final Four EuroLeague & Friends podcast

Ahead of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi, [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) star [Sasha Vezenkov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sasha-vezenkov/003469/) – the first-ever winner of the Playoffs MVP trophy – appeared on the EuroLeague & Friends podcast at the Reds' Media Day. 

Vezenkov discussed being named the Playoffs MVP, his family and friends who will be coming to Abu Dhabi, the upcoming semifinal matchup with AS Monaco, the possibility of a first all-Greek final, plus much more.

Zalgiris Kaunas has announced that forward Arnas Butkevicius has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2027.

Arnas Butkevicius pens new deal at Zalgiris until 2027

[Zalgiris Kaunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/zalgiris-kaunas/zal/) has announced that forward [Arnas Butkevicius](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arnas-butkevicius/002676/) has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2027.

Butkevicius has spent the last three seasons with Zalgiris, playing 92 times for the club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague over that period. In 33 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, the 32-year-old averaged 4.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New deal locked in! Zalgiris and Arnas Butkevicius have agreed on a new contract valid until the end of the 2026–2027 season. ✍️ <a href="https://t.co/9hAVPTBctc">pic.twitter.com/9hAVPTBctc</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1922285424493355167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In addition to his three years of EuroLeague experience with Zalgiris, Butkevicius also appeared in the competition in the 2014-15 season with Neptunas Klaipeda. That same year, he played for Neptunas in the BKT EuroCup, and then again in the 2015-16 campaign. Between 2017 and 2020, Butkevicius suited up for Rytas Vilnius in the EuroCup.

More Zalgiris News

The do-it-all forward will remain at the club for a further two years

All four teams heading to Abu Dhabi have EuroLeague Final Four newcomers on their rosters. Here’s a breakdown of them with a focus on those players most likely to leave their marks. 

What can we expect from the Final Four newcomers?

From now until the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four tips off at Etihad Arena on Friday, May 23, you will hear plenty about Final Four experience. But what about those new to the Final Four? What impact can they have?

Just last season, [Mathias Lessort](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mathias-lessort/003842/) was tied for the Final Four lead in rebounds (16 total) and ranked second in PIR (42) while teammate [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/) was third in scoring (35 points) to help [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) take the crown. It was the first Final Four for both. Another Final Four rookie, [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/), was every bit as impactful for Panathinaikos with averages of 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in the games in Berlin.

[Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/) needed no introduction to the Final Four. He was smashing records with Anadolu Efes Istanbul as he tallied 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for a PIR of 43 in his first game at the 2019 event in Vitoria-Gasteiz. [Vassilis Spanoulis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/) (2009 with Panathinaikos), [Tyrese Rice](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/tyrese-rice/003367/) (2014 with Maccabi Tel Aviv) and [Andres Nocioni](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andres-nocioni/apr/) (2015 with Real Madrid) were all Final Four MVPs in their first time at the end-of-season extravaganza.

All four teams heading to Abu Dhabi have Final Four newcomers on their rosters. Here’s a breakdown of them with a focus on those players most likely to leave their marks.

### Olympiacos Piraeus

The Reds have three members of their senior roster who are heading to their first Final Four. Two of them – [Evan Fournier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/evan-fournier/013380/) and [Saben Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/saben-lee/013389/) – are completing their first EuroLeague campaign, while the third, [Keenan Evans](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/keenan-evans/011218/), has not played yet this season due to a knee injury.

Evans would be the best Hollywood script. Olympiacos signed him to a multi-year deal last summer after he was originally hurt with his previous team, Zalgiris Kaunas, banking on him becoming a difference-maker after his return. But the recovery took longer than expected and even though he has returned to practice, it does not appear likely that Evans will play in Abu Dhabi, let alone make an impact.

Lee is Olympiacos’s best bet for instant offense off the bench. A midseason signing who poured in points for Maccabi in his first eight games and for Manisa Basket in Turkiye, Lee’s first year in Europe has been an eventful one. His ability to heat up and change games could prove critical at the Final Four.

Olympiacos guard Saben Lee.

If the exercise is to find the newcomer most likely to leave a mark in Abu Dhabi, for Olympiacos the answer is clearly Fournier. The swingman is second on the team in scoring and, after a dozen seasons in the NBA, during which he went to the playoffs four times, Fournier should be ready to shine under the bright lights for the Reds.

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul

No fewer than six Fenerbahce players and four members of its backcourt could make their Final Four debuts this season. And several of them will have big roles.

Let’s start with [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), who leads the team in assists (3.7 apg.) and is third in scoring (11.1 ppg.). Baldwin missed a dozen games in this campaign, his first with Fenerbahce, and that in some ways limited his impact after he was an All-EuroLeague selection in each of the previous two seasons with Maccabi. While this may be his first Final Four, Baldwin has starred under the pressure of the playoffs before, including a 27-point, 7-assist masterpiece in a Game 5 loss with Maccabi at AS Monaco two years ago. Baldwin can be counted on as a go-to guy in Abu Dhabi.

[Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/) joined Fenerbahce during the season and has become a steadying force off the bench. At age 37, the former EuroCup champion and MVP marches into the Final Four comfortable in his role. The newcomer stigma should not apply to McCollum here at all.

[Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/) has been a part-time starter this season and raised his scoring and PIR in the playoffs. While he has been impactful, especially on the defensive end, Hall has never been a player who posts big numbers and that is unlikely to change at this Final Four. [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arturs-zagars/008104/) did not feature at all in the playoffs and – barring something unexpected – should not have a role in Abu Dhabi.

Fenerbahce guard Devon Hall.

In the frontcourt, the newcomers are forward [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and center [Jilson Bango](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jilson-bango/013696/). Colson is one of only two Fenerbahce players to appear in every game and his never-ending hustle has a way of popping up in big games. Bango is behind [Khem Birch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/) and [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) on the depth chart, which limits his upside at the Final Four.

### Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens

As the defending champs, it is only natural that the majority of Panathinaikos's roster has Final Four experience. Nevertheless, there are a few set to debut at the event this season. [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) is the premier member of the Greens’ roster without prior Final Four experience and after he set and then re-set his EuroLeague scoring highs in Games 4 and 5 of the playoffs with 22 and 28 points, respectively, all signs point to Osman being a difference-maker again.

[Lorenzo Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/lorenzo-brown/009622/)'s role has dwindled over the season and he did not appear at all in the fifth and final game of the playoffs. That said, the 34-year-old playmaker has a history of stepping up in big moments, like he did last season for Maccabi with 29 points in the Play-In Showdown and a key role in the playoffs. If needed, Brown could be a surprise in Abu Dhabi.

The only EuroLeague rookie on the Panathinaikos roster is [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wenyen-gabriel/013383/), who joined the club midseason from Maccabi. Not a player known for his offensive impact, Gabriel can be counted on to make a difference with his energy, defense and rebounding. That should not change regardless of the pressure of the Final Four. Another center, [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/), is likely to take part in his first Final Four as an active player, though he was a part of the wider Fenerbahce roster when it reached the 2015 Final Four.

Panathinaikos center Omer Yurtseven.

### AS Monaco

The Monaco newcomers can be split into the big men upon whom Coach Spanoulis will rely and the fringe players not expected to have big roles. The former is made up of [Daniel Theis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/daniel-theis/004132/) and [Mam Jaiteh](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mam-jaiteh/002581/).

Theis joined Monaco in February after parts of eight seasons in the NBA. He appeared in 41 NBA playoff games, including the 2022 NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics. Theis also won the FIBA World Cup with the German national team. Jaiteh was the 2022 EuroCup MVP after leading Virtus Segafredo Bologna to that crown. These two centers should be ready for the challenges that the Final Four throws at them. The same is true of [Petr Cornelie](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/petr-cornelie/004790/), who was a member of Real Madrid's 2023 championship-winning squad, but did not appear in a Final Four game.

Monaco center Daniel Theis.

Swingman [Terry Tarpey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/terry-tarpey/012515/), who is in his second season with Monaco, can lean on his experience at the EuroBasket and World Cup to prepare him for the pressures of the Final Four. [Vitto Brown](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/vitto-brown/013365/), who only made one appearance in the playoffs, and [Juhann Begarin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juhann-begarin/008161/), who did not play at all against FC Barcelona, are unlikely to have roles at the Final Four.

Let's examine which Final Four newcomers can be counted on to make the biggest impacts in Abu Dhabi

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship on the line, now is the perfect time to lock up a front-row seat to all the action by purchasing the EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass, available from today (May 12) until May 25, the day of the title decider.

The EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass is now live!

With the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship on the line, now is the perfect time to lock up a front-row seat to all the action by purchasing the [EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass](https://tv.euroleague.net/), available from today (May 12) until May 25, the day of the title decider.

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) heads to Abu Dhabi with the goal of retaining its crown, but [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) will not make things easy in a repeat of last season’s semifinal matchup. The other two teams at the Final Four, [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 for a spot in the championship game, just like they did back in 2023. The two semifinal games take place on May 23, with the third-place game and championship game being played on May 25.

With the EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass, you will gain access to both semifinals, the third-place game and the championship game – all the click of a button away. What’s more, you will receive a 20% discount on next season’s EuroLeague TV Annual Pass, with this reduction valid until June 30, 2025.

So, what are you waiting for? Become the envy of your friends and lock in your EuroLeague TV Final Four Pass now.

One pass. Four teams. Endless glory.

Get 20% off next season’s Annual Pass by signing up for this Final Four package

While the star players got most of the attention, there were some surprise players who really left their mark on each of the four playoff series.

The unlikely players who helped swing the 2025 EuroLeague Playoffs

While most of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague’s usual suspects delivered what was expected of them in the playoffs, there were some other – perhaps unheralded – players who stepped up big time to raise the level of their game and make a decisive impact in the most crucial moment of the season before the Final Four.

Eurohoops gives its flowers to five guys who left their mark in the playoffs and helped their teams advance to the Final Four.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1822647/the-unlikely-players-who-helped-swing-the-2025-playoffs/)**.**

In each of the four playoff series, there were unexpected individuals who really came to the fore

EuroLeague top photos of the week

Look back at all the action from Playoffs Game 5 by checking out the best photos of the week! 

Top 10 photos from Game 5 of the playoffs

After an intense five-game series against Anadolu Efes, Panathinaikos BC rubber-stamped its place at the 2024 EuroLeague Final Four.

Team effort carried Panathinaikos to the Final Four

[Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) will get a shot at winning back-to-back titles in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after the reigning champs [overpowered Anadolu Efes Istanbul 3-2](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/panathinaikos-downs-efes-in-game-5-75-67-to-reach-final-four/) in an emotionally charged series which brought the best out of both teams.

Efes had defied the odds to reach the playoffs and then took the grueling matchup with Panathinaikos down to the wire, but the competition’s holder had more left in the tank in Game 5 and prevailed on the back of a vintage [Cedi Osman](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/cedi-osman/004088/) performance.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒔 📖☘️<br><br>Osman delivered on every level, setting six career highs to help seal our Final Four spot! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/CeEGEFnN8D">pic.twitter.com/CeEGEFnN8D</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1920121230264312230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

All eyes were on the Greek giant’s top performer [Kendrick Nunn](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kendrick-nunn/012774/), who headed into the series as the regular season’s MVP and top scorer, but the former Los Angeles Lakers guard misfired throughout except in Game 3, when he poured 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor.

In the wake of relentless hustle and airtight defense from his makers, Nunn made a mere 17 of 60 in the other four games, including 8 of 31 from downtown as he kept getting driven out of the danger zone time and again by a flurry of double-teams.

However, Nunn’s teammates stepped up to the plate when the push came to shove and Osman came to the fore in Game 5 with a career-high 28 points and 8 boards, lifting the Greens to a 75-67 win which booked a ticket for the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

Game 5: Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul

In Game 1, which Panathinaikos won 87-83, [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) posted career highs of 20 points and 16 boards while [Omer Yurtseven](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/omer-yurtseven/005353/), [Jerian Grant](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jerian-grant/011204/), [Konstantinos Mitoglou](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/konstantinos-mitoglou/007866/) and veteran [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) also contributed at various junctions to steer the Greens across the finish line.

Nunn was instrumental in Game 3, which the team’s head coach Ergin Ataman billed as the one that ultimately determined the outcome of the entire series.

Ataman also hailed Osman’s heroics in Game 5, as the 30-year-old forward scored 12 points in the first quarter and eight in the fourth, when Panathinaikos held off a strong Efes fightback after the home team’s offense had stalled for long spells in the second half.

“Winning Game 3 in Istanbul changed the series as it allowed us to keep home-court advantage and that gave us the confidence to start tonight’s game with amazing defense and a barrage of fast-break points,” Ataman told the post-game press conference.

“Cedi had an amazing game – it was his best performance of the season for Panathinaikos – as we found a way to win and advance to the Final Four once again.

“Nunn didn’t find his rhythm tonight and it’s true that Efes played great defense on him throughout the series. He was nervous in the second half and missed some of his regular shots but the important thing is that he played great defense. He will come good at the Final Four.”

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 ☘️<br><br>Ergin Ataman gave a sharp speech bringing the back-to-back energy!🔥🏆<br><br>Full video on CLUB 1908 📲<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn">https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://t.co/koZbrKjddA">pic.twitter.com/koZbrKjddA</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1920059465941803419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ataman also revealed how demanding it was to play against his former club after he guided Efes to successive titles in 2021 and 2022.

“It was very stressful for me to play against my ex team, with so many memories involved,” he said. “Now, I need to rest before I start thinking about the semifinal. All four teams going to the Final Four will be in with a chance of winning it, so we are taking it one step at a time.”

Panathinaikos is up against [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) and the matchup will rekindle Ataman’s fierce rivalry with Fenerbahce from his Efes days, while current bitter foe [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/) takes on [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) in the other semifinal. The showpiece event will present Ataman with a chance to win another set of back-to-back titles, having reached the EuroLeague summit in his first season with Panathinaikos after he took over in the summer of 2023.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">«Στο Άμπου Ντάμπι θα ‘ρθω…» as <a href="https://twitter.com/cediosman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cediosman</a> said! 🗣️💚<br><br>Full video available now on CLUB 1908 📲<br><br>👉 <a href="https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn">https://t.co/O0jvBD37wn</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheGreens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheGreens</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paobcaktor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#paobcaktor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LiveTheGreenMagic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LiveTheGreenMagic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Club1908?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Club1908</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneClubOneApp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OneClubOneApp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoadToAbuDhabi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoadToAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/And1pCFF6O">pic.twitter.com/And1pCFF6O</a></p>&mdash; Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) <a href="https://twitter.com/Paobcgr/status/1919875505127383455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Efes head coach Luca Banchi was left to ponder and wonder what might have been had his team been able to produce slightly better offense in Game 5, having shot a poor 14 of 23 from the foul line and a miserable 10 of 32 from inside.

The Turkish team matched Panathinaikos tit-for-tat for the vast majority of the series but on Tuesday Banchi’s men paid the price for an awful start to the game, as they were left with a mountain to climb after falling behind 36-13 midway through the second quarter.

“Both teams fought for every possession in all five games and although we lost, we showed the personality to overcome difficulties,” the Italian tactician said. “It wasn’t a good night for us offensively and to win this game we needed to do something special. We missed nine free throws and in a game as big as this one that’s crucial.”

Banchi also heaped praise on his outfit for an impressive late surge in the regular season which saw Efes leap over more likely postseason candidates into the playoffs.

“The bigger picture is that back in February when we were 13th in the standings, reaching the playoffs looked like mission impossible, so what the guys produced in the last two months is impressive,” he stressed.  “Eight wins in a row to finish the regular season in sixth place and every contest was a do-or-die game.”

Game News

With their pack leader Kendrick Nunn stifled out, the Greens relied on their supporting cast to reach the Final Four

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2025-05-06T18:45:00.000Z)