The moment of truth has come for Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce, the two teams set to kick off the Final Four in Abu Dhabi, just as they did in Berlin last year.
The Greens aim to secure their eighth star, while the Turks seek revenge and a shot at their second EuroLeague title.
“We’re here to defend our title,” Ergin Ataman asserted firmly during the press conference. Joined by Cedi Osman and Ömer Yurtseven, Ataman risks becoming known as a “Turk-slayer,” having seen Panathinaikos eliminate Anadolu Efes in the playoffs, and now they must defeat Fenerbahçe to reach the final.
Panathinaikos required five games to overcome Efes for their 13th Final Four appearance, while Fenerbahçe had an easier route, sweeping Paris 3-0 to secure their seventh entry.
In direct encounters, Panathinaikos leads with a record of 22–17, having won their last four matchups against Fenerbahçe, including both games this season. Ataman also boasts a six-game winning streak against coach Jasikevicius.
Yet, despite the saying that “all streaks are meant to be broken,” this matchup represents a tense balance, with neither team clearly favored.
Fenerbahçe has shown considerable improvement throughout the season, a testament to their coach’s influence. Meanwhile, reigning EuroLeague champions Panathinaikos have reached the Final Four without yet hitting their peak, making them a formidable opponent for any title contender.
The biggest question for Panathinaikos revolves around Mathias Lessort’s availability, while Marius Grigonis has been officially ruled out. For Fenerbahçe, Scottie Wilbekin remains the only player missing since the season began.
The officiating crew for the match will consist of Carlos Peruga, Robert Lottermoser, and Mehdi Difallah.
Panathinaikos is vying for a spot in Sunday’s grand final.
Fenerbahçe faced defeat against Panathinaikos again last year.
Almost all Final Four tickets have been sold, with only 7 remaining. The prices range from €2,482 for the cheapest to €58,279 for the most expensive.
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