On World Environment Day, Euroleague Basketball is pleased to announce it has reached its target of collecting funds to plant more than 6,000 trees.

Euroleague Basketball, One Tree Planted reforestation initiative target reached

Euroleague Basketball works with the One Tree Planted Amazon Rainforest initiative to help restore healthy forests for biodiversity and social impact.

By accomplishing the initial target with the support of fans and stakeholders, Euroleague Basketball and One Tree Planted will be able to:

* Create hundreds of direct jobs on reforestation days.
* Help the families of small farmers recover several hectares of degraded areas.
* Contribute to forest connectivity, restoring endemic wildlife habitat for bird nests and the production of nectar for bees.
* Combat climate change by storing large amounts of carbon.
* Help reduce the spread of future wildfires in the Amazon via appropriate restoration planning.
Everyone willing to participate in this project to help the reforestation of the Amazon Rainforest can continue to donate at [https://euroleague.raisely.com](http://euroleague.raisely.com) – it works as simply as €1 = 1 tree.

This was the first direct climate action in Euroleague Basketball's new sustainability plan for the next 10 years (2021-2030), which will see the competition and its clubs continue to work together as purpose-driven and socially responsible entities.

More projects will follow this first action as part of a bigger, integral plan aimed at making Euroleague Basketball an even more socially and environmentally committed organization aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 agenda and the #GenerationRestoration movement. This will lead our clubs on a joint business sustainability approach by which the impacts will be able to be measured and challenges such as zero-waste operations and sustainable mobility around arenas will be tackled to help bring direct improvement to our communities.



One Tree Planted initiative closing

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As part of Euroleague Basketball's commitment to sustainability, last weekend's Final Four incorporated a number of environmental and social activities and initiatives.

Sustainability at the Final Four in Cologne

Three social entities in the host city of Cologne – Special Olympics Germany, Basket for Koeln and RBC Koeln 99ers – were given free access to EuroLeague TV to enjoy the event and were donated bicycles from Euroleague Basketball premium partner BKT and Spalding basketballs to promote healthy habits and lifestyles.

<div style="display: grid; place-items: center;"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🙌🏀 Participants of the <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> program reveal the <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBbasket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBbasket</a> players for tonight&#39;s semifinal.<br><br>💪 Cheers team!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a> <a href="https://t.co/9qBbkQkJkp">pic.twitter.com/9qBbkQkJkp</a></p>&mdash; Barça Foundation (@FundacioFCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/FundacioFCB/status/1398225308067807232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

All staff members and accredited groups were given free access to public transportation, thanks to the City of Cologne, and to BKT bicycles during the event to cut down on motorized transport, and a recycling waste management system was activated in and around Lanxess Arena to collect paper, plastic, glass, organic and other waste separately thanks to the collaboration from the venue management and the City of Cologne. Non-plastic recyclable cutlery and crockery was provided along with zero-kilometer food and the game towels used by players were eco-certified.

<div style="display: grid; place-items: center;"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPfkui9quqK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" 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/CPfkui9quqK/?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; 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One Team, as Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility flagship, was given a prominent place during the Final Four, with players wearing #WeAreAllOneTeam badges on their warmup sleeves in support of the program's pandemic recovery initiatives.

One Team participants were invited to take part in video messages of support for players during the team presentations before games and were given free access to EuroLeague TV as well to enjoy the full entertainment of the action from their homes. The values of One Team were also introduced to the Final Four volunteers with an online welcome session before the event.



<div style="display: grid; place-items: center;"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Roster for tonight introduced by <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> guys! 💪🏼<br><br>Our first and sweetest supporters! ❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBAXM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBAXM</a><a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/tomlLBwZ1C">pic.twitter.com/tomlLBwZ1C</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1398179762431053825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Looking further afield, and in support of the United Nations #GenerationRestoration movement, Euroleague Basketball launched a reforestation campaign in the Amazon rainforest with One Tree Planted, using all Final Four platforms to encourage fans to donate at [https://euroleague.raisely.com/](http://euroleague.raisely.com/) to reach the goal of €6,000 donated for the reforestation program by World Environment Day on June 5.

One Team welcomes Final Four volunteers

Zalgiris's Lauvergne, One Team stars discuss self-confidence

Finding motivation with Joffrey Lauvergne and One Team

Dolomiti Energia Trento has completed its activities for One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, with a recap session to summarize and celebrate all the lessons that have been learned over the past 11 weeks.

Trento has been working with a group of 18 young people from four separate local institutions. ANFFAS works with people with disabilities; ATAS with refugees and foreigners; CTS with people recovering or suffering from pathological addictions, substance abuse or psychiatric problems; and Villa Sant'Ignazio with people in personal or family difficulties.

Video sessions have been held every week to talk about basketball and the different life values the sport can offer, such as respect, self-esteem, and a sense of community. Those sessions have included the involvement of Trento players, including team captain Toto Forray, and an English teacher to improve language skills.



One of the participants, Antonio, explained that he truly appreciated the support offered by the program and the Trento players during a difficult time:

"We have discovered that all those players are also beautiful souls, with kind hearts. It's not an easy moment, but we have managed to meet like we were around a campfire: we warmed each other! It was a great experience, and we exchanged a lot of smiles. On the screen, there was always someone smiling. So, thank you. We really needed that, especially in this moment."

The group will now stay together and hold a couple of follow-up sessions in the coming weeks, hopefully including the chance to finally able to play together on the basketball court if the pandemic situation allows.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

Trento sharing smiles through One Team

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One Team Life Skills - EP 2 | Communication

Kyle Hines hosts another edition of the One Team Life Skills series by sharing his thoughts on the subject of communication.

Hines, One Team Ambassadors talk about communication

Kyle Hines hosts another edition of the One Team Life Skills series by sharing his thoughts on the subject of communication.

A four-time EuroLeague champion and the Global Ambassador for One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, Hines is helping to explore the many ways that basketball can teach important life lessons.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are happy to bring you the second episode of Life Skills by <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a>!💙<br><br>This time, <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> discusses how &quot;Communication&quot; has impacted his life and why it is important!<br><br>Share with us who are some of the best communicators you know!<a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/VeLRoXdWhR">pic.twitter.com/VeLRoXdWhR</a></p>&mdash; One Team Euroleague (@OTEuroleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague/status/1369241554053955584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Explaining the importance of communication on the court, he said: "There are five individuals on the court who need to communicate and act as one. The best teams, the ones that win the EuroLeague trophy, are usually the ones who communicate the best."

Many other players and coaches around the continent have joined in by sharing their thoughts on the importance of communication both on and off the court, including Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul assistant coach Radovan Trifunovic. He emphasized the different types of communication as he said: "On the court, communication is a lot of times with the eyes – 'Throw me the ball, go back-door, box out, be strong.' It's more body language than verbal, especially when the gyms are full!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Assistant Coach Radovan Trifunovic shares his thoughts about communication. <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/RUlMSKUnOh">pic.twitter.com/RUlMSKUnOh</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1370363438225100802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Young participants of the TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz One Team program talked about the best communicators in their lives, including Lisa Happy who said: "Our teacher helps us when we are sad or when we need help in sums or assignments."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> !! Our <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> partipants have very clear who are their best communicators !!🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/kjMqcGpPDx">pic.twitter.com/kjMqcGpPDx</a></p>&mdash; Fundación 5+11 Fundazioa (@Fundacion5mas11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fundacion5mas11/status/1369301773605830668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joventut Badalona One Team Ambassador Simon Birgander discussed how communication has taken on an even more important role during the recent pandemic:

"Communication is very important right now because it's hard to meet people, so it's hard to know how people feel. If you don't tell people how you feel, it's very hard to live in this current state with the pandemic. Communication with my friends and family in Sweden has been important to me, to keep my head high and get the help I need."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonBirgander?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SimonBirgander</a> joins you guys explaining hoy important is communication! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/TSAhCqZLxG">pic.twitter.com/TSAhCqZLxG</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1370044151362912267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Who is the best communicator in your life? Join the conversation and share your stories!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is key: ALBA&#39;s One Team Ambassador Johannes Thiemann and his view on the value and challenges of communication in the pandemic. 🗣 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALBABERLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALBABERLIN</a> <a href="https://t.co/yNDvUG2vJb">pic.twitter.com/yNDvUG2vJb</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1369290583332843522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup. Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our ambassador Charis Giannopoulos shares his thoughts about communication.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PromitheasPatrasBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PromitheasPatrasBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ZglSOW3Q1">pic.twitter.com/0ZglSOW3Q1</a></p>&mdash; Promitheas Patras BC (@promitheasbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/promitheasbc/status/1369318154820874245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is a key, especially in a new reality. It’s very important for us to stick together these days. Together we can handle everything✊💙💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1369315902555045897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is a key, especially in a new reality. It’s very important for us to stick together these days. Together we can handle everything✊💙💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1369315902555045897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">❝Communication is 🔑, on and off the court! Especially in these times we try to communicate with all our fans through social media and keep the link between the club, the players and our fans.❞ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/YVIyZdpzeX">pic.twitter.com/YVIyZdpzeX</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1369303076876730371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Our <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> ambassador Moustapha Sonko is talking about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/communication?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#communication</a> ! 🤝<br><br>Notre ambassadeur Moustapha Sonko nous parle de communication ! 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoMets92?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoMets92</a> <a href="https://t.co/3zbMd4G9PT">pic.twitter.com/3zbMd4G9PT</a></p>&mdash; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (@Metropolitans92) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metropolitans92/status/1370061130496872452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s talk about communication!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaqInTheBox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaqInTheBox</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/B5A1Sbxvwe">pic.twitter.com/B5A1Sbxvwe</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1369264316864692227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> ! Communication is the key, let&#39;s talk about it 🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/EGZhxRVvzt">pic.twitter.com/EGZhxRVvzt</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1369289355681013760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Unicaja Malaga is supporting its local community despite social restrictions during the pandemic by running online sessions for its One Team program. For the third consecutive season, the 7DAYS EuroCup club is working with Down Malaga, an association which was founded 20 years ago by a group of parents whose children have Down Syndrome, with the objective of improving their quality of life and giving them more independence.

Waczynski and Unicaja bringing smiles with One Team

Unicaja Malaga is supporting its local community despite social restrictions during the pandemic by running online sessions for its One Team program. For the third consecutive season, the 7DAYS EuroCup club is working with Down Malaga, an association which was founded 20 years ago by a group of parents whose children have Down Syndrome, with the objective of improving their quality of life and giving them more independence.

Weekly online sessions are taking place every Tuesday afternoon, using the example of basketball as a tool for social integration and promoting personal values.

"We work on the value of respect, as well as care, respecting our environment and being cautious," says Jose Carlos Gaspar, the club's One Team Manager and Director of Sales, Public Relations, Protocol and Social Marketing. He explained that the video sessions include exercises with and without the ball: "They are precautionary activities such as protecting the ball and defending it, which we transfer to daily life so that the participants value the importance of such precaution and prevention."

These exercises are supported by the contribution of Unicaja's One Team Ambassador, Adam Waczynski. The Polish forward has been very involved with One Team for several years and helped develop the activities, as well as joining a session to congratulate the participants on their good work.

Waczynski said: "In this difficult and strange year we could not do our sessions on the basketball court, but we continue to be in contact with the Down Malaga team and they are doing a fantastic job at home – enjoying work, school and improving in many areas of life. Each of them is making an incredible effort to feel good. I love spending time with them and seeing the smiles on their faces. We can't meet in person but it's the best we can do for now. Better days will come, and I think we will enjoy them together very soon."

The support of the Fundacion Unicaja and Unicaja Banco, along with the collaboration of the companies that make up SponsorTeam, the social sponsorship strategy of Unicaja Baloncesto, have also been important for the continuous development of the One Team program, with the participation and direct help from its members in various sessions.

Ricardo Fernandez-Palacios, president of Down Malaga, comments: "We want to thank Unicaja Baloncesto because despite the difficulties that the current pandemic and health alert situation impose upon us, they have found the formula to maintain contact so our young people with Down Syndrome can still practice basketball on equal terms with other people through One Team. We are confident that we will soon be able to return to the classroom environment, but for now we support this initiative that keeps team spirit alive."

Maria Gallardo, one of the participants of Down Malaga, adds: "This year we have to settle for doing sports online, but whatever is connected with basketball we love it. I know that soon we will again share training on the court, all of us together."

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.

