The top team of the regular season, Olympiacos, finished with an impressive record of 24 wins and 10 losses. They are enjoying the best streak in their history, marking their fourth consecutive EuroLeague Final Four appearance (2022 in Belgrade, 2023 in Kaunas, and 2024 in Berlin) and are determined to capture their first trophy in 12 years (last won in 2013, London).
“Reaching this stage four times in a row is remarkable, but it’s not enough. Our aim is to win the trophy, and we hope for better luck this year,” stated Giorgos Bartzokas, reflecting on his team’s near misses in previous tournaments (losing in the final shot in the Kaunas semifinal and the Belgrade final).
In their journey to the most recent final (2023), Olympiacos defeated Monaco in the semifinal with a score of 76-62, showcasing a dominant second-half performance of 47-20.
While Olympiacos has maintained a similar roster since the 2023 matchup, they have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Evan Fournier. In contrast, their opponent has significantly changed, now featuring a robust Greek contingent led by head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, along with players Nick Calathes and Giorgos Papagiannis.
For Spanoulis, today’s game holds personal significance as he competes against the team that named him its leader 15 years ago, with which he enjoyed back-to-back EuroLeague titles (2012, 2013). “I will always cherish my time at Olympiacos, but now we are rivals. It will be tougher for my kids, who will be cheering for Olympiacos,” he expressed during the press conference. Calathes will also return to the squad after his injury.
The referees for the semifinal will be Ilija Belošević (Serbia), Emilio Pérez (Spain), and Milan Nedović (Slovenia).
Panathinaikos has been eliminated by Fenerbahçe, which is returning to the final after a seven-year hiatus.
Now, all eyes are on how Olympiacos will perform against Spanoulis’ Monaco.
This season, Olympiacos recorded one win in Monte Carlo and suffered one loss at SEF (Peace and Friendship Stadium) against Monaco.
The Reds are aiming for their 10th final appearance, following their last appearance in the 2023 final.
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