Name: Walter Tavares: 'The playoffs are about defense, not offense'
Channel: Euroleague Basketball

Real Madrid center Walter Tavares spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Olympiacos Piraeus in Game 3 of their 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs series.

Walter Tavares: 'The playoffs are about defense, not offense'

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-04-29T19:00:00.000Z)

Real Madrid-Olympiacos Piraeus | Playoffs Game 3 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Follow the post-game press conference after Game 3 between Paris Basketball and Fenerbahce Beko in the 2025 EuroLeague Playoffs.

Follow the Paris-Fenerbahce Game 3 post-game press conference

Paris Basketball v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-04-29T18:30:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward Nigel Hayes-Davis spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Paris Basketball in Game 3 to sweep their 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs series.

Nigel Hayes-Davis: 'We look forward to Abu Dhabi'

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul forward Tarik Biberovic spoke to EuroLeague TV after his team beat Paris Basketball in Game 3 to sweep their 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs series.

Tarik Biberovic: 'I worked all my life for these moments'

Paris Basketball-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | Playoffs Game 3 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Fenerbahce Beko has secured its place at the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four for the seventh time in total and second year in succession.

Fenerbahce heads to second Final Four in a row

After sweeping its playoff series for the fourth time in club history, [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) can prepare for its second Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four appearance in succession under coach Saras Jasikevicius. 

Fenerbahce won all three games against Paris Basketball – Games 1 and 2 at home, then Game 3 on the road – to become the first team to book its ticket for the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

After ending a five-year wait to reach the Final Four last year, Fenerbahce heads to Abu Dhabi with ambitions of bringing the EuroLeague title back to Istanbul.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">FENERBAHÇE BEKO, EUROLEAGUE&#39;DE FINAL FOUR&#39;DA! 💛💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/C0TZpULR7g">pic.twitter.com/C0TZpULR7g</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1917320401782235228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce’s Final Four history

Fenerbahce is heading to its seventh Final Four in club history. Its first time heading to the Final Four came in 2015 with coach Zeljko Obradovic at the helm, which turned out to be the first of five successive trips to European basketball’s showpiece event under the Serbian play-caller.

To date, Fenerbahce has reached the Final Four in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024, and now 2025.

By moving to seven Final Four appearances, Fenerbahce goes level with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv for joint fourth all-time, although the Greens could move to eight if they advance past Anadolu Efes Istanbul in their playoff series.

### How many EuroLeague titles have Fenerbahce won?

Fenerbahce’s first and only EuroLeague title came in 2017, when it beat Olympiacos Piraeus in the championship game in Istanbul, Turkiye. It also lost in the title decider in 2016 and 2018 to CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid, respectively.

### Which Fenerbahce players have won the EuroLeague before?

Team captain [Melih Mahmutoglu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/melih-mahmutoglu/002969/) was a member of Fenerbahce’s 2017 title triumph. [Sertac Sanli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/sertac-sanli/002968/) also won the 2021 championship as a member of Anadolu Efes Istanbul.

### Who is heading to their first Final Four?

Most of this Fenerbahce squad went to the 2024 Final Four, but [Wade Baldwin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/wade-baldwin-iv/009863/), [Errick McCollum](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/errick-mccollum/005216/), [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/devon-hall/011205/), [Arturs Zagars](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/arturs-zagars/008104/), [Bonzie Colson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/bonzie-colson/009783/) and [Jilson Bango](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/jilson-bango/013696/) will play at their first Final Four. [Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) and [Khem Birch](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/khem-birch/007182/), two of Fenerbahce’s signings last summer, both have Final Four experience under their belt.

Game News

This is the seventh time the 2017 champion has made it to the Final Four

Ibaka rejects McKissic! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night

Shorts forces overtime! Motorola Magic Moment

Pierre and Birch combine to perfection! Motorola Magic Moment

Hayes on the highlight reel! Motorola Magic Moment

Fener’s perfect team play! Motorola Magic Moment

Wright rocks the rim! Motorola Magic Moment

 Lee’s two-handed slam! Motorola Magic Moment

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Game 3 of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs.

Playoffs pregame quotes: Game 3

## Wednesday, April 30

### FC Barcelona vs. AS Monaco (19:00 CEST)

**Joan Peñarroya, FC Barcelona head coach**

"First of all, we have to focus exclusively on \[Game 3\], without looking any further. We have to play a good game against an opponent that has been better than us last week. If we do things right, I am convinced that we can win, especially playing at Palau Blaugrana, in front of our people. In playoff games, their support is noticed even more. Monaco is a physical team because of its players are really athletic. We knew that: there are many teams that play this way, even when they don't have such a deep roster as Monaco. We have to be smarter and take a step forward in situations in which we can do better. We are also a physical team, but many times, physicality is not the key, but reading the game well, being ready and focused on our game, not on how they force us to play. Jan \[Vesely\] is doubtful: he is trying but it looks difficult that he will be able to help us. We know how they play and how we want to play. It is a playoff game and everyone has its weapons. They took the first two games where they wanted them and we have to have the ability to know what they do and take them where it is more convenient for us. We will try to improve through our game. Energy, willingness, ambition, Palau Blaugrana… we count on all that, but it is our game which has to make us improve, to avoid this feeling of collapse."

**Joel Parra, FC Barcelona forward**

"It is time to deliver. We know it is hard, but we believe. Since Game 2 finished, we have looked to each other's faces and said we could turn this situation around. We have done it many times this season, playing as a team in the most difficult moments. We expect Palau Blaugrana to be as good as always and even better. For us, it is a final and this is what's most important. There are no excuses. It is one of the three finals we hope to play \[against Monaco\]. We had three days to recover and it is hard, given the calendar and the injuries we have. But again, there are no excuses. We know it will be a very difficult game and they will arrive here with the same dynamics, but can't allow that in our home. In such a long series, you have to try new things and our coaching staff will help us do them, what to do and how to protect ourselves. Above all, energy is the biggest key. When we went to Monaco, we had beaten them twice in the regular season and now they beat us twice. We analyzed both games and their physicality has been the biggest key. We didn't play at the same physical level as we did throughout the regular season. We know this and here at Palau, we will take a step forward with all of our fans helping us."

### Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (19:45 CEST)

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach**

"There is a good balance between the two teams, and Efes is a good team. We will go there to fight, to try to win both games. We know that we will play tough games. Both games in Athens were tough games. We won the first game that maybe Efes deserved to win, and we lost the second game that I believed we deserved to win because we led for 39 minutes and 30 seconds. Now we go there to win a game. It will be important to be ready to fight, to play good basketball, because Efes is playing good basketball."

"We are professional. All of us we fight for our team, for Panathinaikos, to win the game. I said a month ago that Efes is the only team I don’t like to play \[against\] in the playoffs. Not because we are friends but because they are a good team and they have very experienced players, like Shane Larkin, Elijah Bryant, Vincent Poirier, that I know in that kind of game they try to do their best. This season, we won many difficult games on the road. It will be a great atmosphere, we are in the playoffs. Every team tries to create a home-court advantage. But we saw, the show is nice, we are the best club and have the best fans to make a show, but it does not affect the final results. Efes fans are one of the most fair fans in Europe, but they will for sure make a good atmosphere."

"The pressure is on both sides right now, maybe more on Efes. We were the favorites when the series started. Now, maybe they are the favorites. It’s the playoffs, the pressure is the same on all teams, because everyone wants to go to the Final Four."

**Cedi Osman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward**

"To be honest, we are not going for one, we are going for both games. Obviously, gooing game by game. We know the capacity we have, we know what kind of team we are. I believe in our team and the coaches. Everybody is ready for a fight because it will be a very tough game in Istanbul. Everybody is ready to give everything on the floor, on \[Wednesday night\], and again Friday night. We watched our second game again, we were really playing well. Just a small details that we missed, and I think if we fix those we will have a good chance to win both games. I am 100% ready to go and excited to be on the floor."

"\[Efes\] is a team that I played for nine years before going to the NBA. But as a professional, I got to be on the floor and give my 100%. I am playing for Panathinaikos and my heart is here, and I am doing all my best to help the team reach the Final Four. That’s the only goal for me, but I got nothing but respect for Efes."

**Luca Banchi, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"We are very excited to approach this new chapter of the series with two games in Istanbul. That was our task before the games in Athens. The first two games proved how tight and how balanced these series will be. Both games proved that not even a double-digit advantage was enough for teams to capitalize. So everybody needs 40 minutes of their best, high-intensity and best continuity, because I believe team have talented roster with such talented players that possess the capacity to become game-changers and game-finishers in every moment during this series. So, we want to prepare ourselves to also absorb their strong desire to revenge after the last loss. We have the defending champion in front of us, and they will combine their capacity together with a strong will, and that's why we want to respond in the same way as we did in Athens, ready to compete from the beginning at every level."

**Dan Oturu, Anadolu Efes Istanbul center**<br>
"It will be an exciting atmosphere, another opportunity to go out and compete. We have to stay focused on playing our brand of basketball. It will feel good to have the support of our home fans."

## Tuesday, April 29

### Paris Basketball vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (20:30 CEST)

**Saras Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"We have to match the desperation of Paris. Especially important first quarter over there and the entrance to the game, where they are the best. The atmosphere will be very favorable for them. After that we need to continue being patient offensively, share the ball, find the best shooter and, like always, try to look at their guards as much as we can.

**Wade Baldwin, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul guard**

"Thoughts before the game are just to continue what we’ve been doing for the past two games. Obviously, they are more desperate to win and we have to go to finish the job. Let’s see what happens on Tuesday."

### Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (21:00 CEST)

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"We are only thinking about what is ahead of us. We only have to win one game because for us nothing matters about what happened in Athens or what may happen in the future. I think the best way to face a playoff series is to think only and exclusively about what is in front of you and that is tomorrow's game, a very important game for us in which we have to keep correcting things. From Game 1 to Game 2 we corrected some things, not everything. There are still aspects of the game where Olympiacos is hurting us and we have to change what we did not do well. We had a good chance to win Game 2, and we need to get over the line in Game 3."

**Andres Feliz, Real Madrid guard**

"It's been a very tough series, but we are confident and we will fight to win the home games with the support of our fans and playing as a team. We must learn from the two games we played in Greece. We know what we have to do against Olympiacos. We have to be focused from the first minute, leave everything out there and go for the win. We need our fans to give us that extra boost that pushes us, and we want to do well because, after all, we are playing for them."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"We will try to be better defensively from the first quarter compared to the last game; to stay solid, to play for the win, and to overcome some minor injury issues that have arisen, although we hope that won't affect the players' availability."

**Saben Lee, Olympiacos Piraeus guard**

"It will definitely be a tough game. After all, it's difficult to beat a team three times in a row. But I feel that we are ready for it."

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of Game 3 of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs

Playoffs pregame quotes, Game 3: 'We are going for both games'

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-04-30T17:45:00.000Z)

FC Barcelona v AS Monaco (2025-04-30T17:00:00.000Z)

With usual co-hosts Vasiliki Karamouza and Frankie Sachs unavailable, Javier Gancedo recruited Fantasy Challenge expert Arale Weisberg to break down this week's playoffs games.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Can TJ Shorts go the extra mile?

With usual co-hosts Vasiliki Karamouza and Frankie Sachs unavailable, Javier Gancedo recruited Fantasy Challenge expert Arale Weisberg to break down this week's playoffs games.

Javi and Arale discussed all four series, gave recommendations to each other which forced them to change their lineups, and agreed on TJ Shorts of Paris Basketball and Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens as the top candidates to earn MVP of the Round honors in Playoffs Game 3.

Finally, Arale and Javi shared their teams and captain choices, all in a laid-back atmosphere full of jokes and funny comments. Don't miss this week's episode! 

Another week, another episode of the Euroleague Fantasy Challenge podcast.

Ahead of the second – and maybe last – week of the playoffs, Eurohoops takes a look at eight things (two for each quarterfinal series) to look forward to in the EuroLeague Playoffs.

Eight things to look forward to in the second week of the EuroLeague Playoffs

Three of the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague playoff series are at 2-0 and there’s only one with the two teams tied. [Olympiacos Piraeus](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/oly/), [AS Monaco](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/mco/) and [Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fenerbahce-beko-istanbul/ulk/) are one win away from the Abu Dhabi Final Four after getting two victories against [Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/real-madrid/mad/), [FC Barcelona](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/bar/) and [Paris Basketball](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/paris-basketball/prs/), respectively. In the meantime, [Anadolu Efes Istanbul](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/anadolu-efes-istanbul/ist/) escaped OAKA with the dub over [Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/teams/panathinaikos-aktor-athens/pan/) in Game 2, courtesy of [Shane Larkin](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shane-larkin/007200/).

Ahead of the second – and maybe last – week of the playoffs, we take a look at eight things (two for each quarterfinal series) to look forward to. From the factors that can lead to sweeps, to what teams should do to survive and star players that need to raise the level of their game.

Read more [HERE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1817997/eight-things-to-look-forward-to-in-the-second-week-of-the-euroleague-playoffs/).

Three teams could close out their respective series in Game 3

FC Barcelona v AS Monaco (2025-05-02T18:45:00.000Z)

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2025-05-02T17:30:00.000Z)

Real Madrid v Olympiacos Piraeus (2025-05-01T19:00:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2025-05-01T18:30:00.000Z)

Antonio Blakeney is set to keep playing for Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv until the end of the 2026-27 season, the club announced Tuesday. Blakeney (1.93 meters, 28 years old) played a key role for Hapoel in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup, averaging 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and a PIR of 12.2 in 17 games, to help the team lift win EuroCup trophy.

Hapoel, Blakeney agree to contract extension

[Antonio Blakeney](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/eurocup/players/antonio-blakeney/013402/) is set to keep playing for Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv until the end of the 2026-27 season, the club announced Tuesday. Blakeney (1.93 meters, 28 years old) played a key role for Hapoel in the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup, averaging 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and a PIR of 12.2 in 17 games, to help the team lift win EuroCup trophy.

The first-year guard played a critical role in Hapoel's most important games. Blakeney had 32 points and 9 rebounds in Game 3 of the semifinals on the road against Valencia Basket, hitting five three-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead Hapoel to a go-ahead 92-94 win. He also shined in the 2025 EuroCup Finals against Dreamland Gran Canaria, averaging 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and a PIR of 23.5 in two games.

Antonio Blakeney's best plays from semifinals Game 3 against Valencia, and from the EuroCup Finals against Dreamland Gran Canaria

Blakeney shined in the final three playoff games

Blakeney started his professional career with Chicago of the NBA, and also played for Windy City and Canton of the G League, Jiangsu Nangang Dragons Nanjing and Nanjing Tongxi Monkey Kings of China, Al-Ahli Manama of Bahrein, and Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Shave of Israel before joining Hapoel.

"I am very happy and grateful for the opportunity to sign with Hapoel Tel Aviv for two more seasons. I would like to thank the team's owner Ofer Yannay, the management and the professional team for their trust and support in me," Blakeney say after the agreement. "I feel at home here in Tel Aviv. I look forward to continuing to help the team reach great achievements. I am aware that there is still a lot of work ahead of us – both this season and the seasons to come – and I will give it my all, together with my teammates and the professional team. A huge thank you to all the fans for your incredible support!"

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">מועדון הכדורסל הפועל &quot;שלמה&quot; תל אביב גאה להודיע על הארכת חוזהו של הגארד אנטוניו בלייקני בשנתיים נוספות, עד לסוף עונת 2026/27.<br> <br>בלייקני הינו אחד מהשחקנים המרכזיים שהובילו את הקבוצה לזכייה ההיסטורית ביורוקאפ, ואף הצטיין במיוחד בשלבים המכריעים, כאשר קבע ממוצע של 21.6 נקודות למשחק –… <a href="https://t.co/Iac0kK7uPj">pic.twitter.com/Iac0kK7uPj</a></p>&mdash; Hapoel Tel Aviv BC (@HapoelTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/HapoelTLVBC/status/1917163308546928649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"We are very happy, both personally and as the Hapoel Tel Aviv club, that Antonio is continuing with us. In my opinion, AB is a symbol of shared growth - both of the club and of him as a player. Antonio joined us with little experience in European basketball, and since then he has developed and become one of the team's important players - just as Hapoel Tel Aviv as a club is growing and growing among the prominent clubs in the Euroleague", Hapoel head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. "We hope that he will continue to remain healthy, determined and focused, with the goal of continuing to improve and display high and consistent ability."

Blakeney penned a new deal until the end of the 2026-27 season