The 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four hits fever pitch as Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul locks horns with defending champs Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in a scorching semifinal showdown on Friday on the Etihad Arena.
Last 12 months, Ergin Ataman’s Panathinaikos dismantled Fenerbahçe 73-57 en path to the crown.
The ache hasn’t pale.
While Panathinaikos took each regular-season clashes this 12 months, Sarunas Jasikevicius-led Fenerbahçe squad is tighter, harder, and burning with function.
Road to Abu Dhabi
Fenerbahçe’s path to their seventh Final Four was paved with dominance – a 3-0 sweep of Paris Basketball and two six-game win streaks this season.
Jasikevicius, now Coach of the Year, has drilled self-discipline and depth right into a hungry squad.
Still, a latest 72-62 Turkish BSL stumble towards Beşiktaş raised eyebrows. Jasikevicius responded: “We know how they’ll attack. It’s about execution – nothing more.”
Panathinaikos, with Ataman chasing a historic fifth last look, edged Anadolu Efes in a gritty Game 5 because of a breakout efficiency from Cedi Osman.
Ataman’s observe file – 4 straight EuroLeague semifinal wins – speaks volumes.
Stars like Kendrick Nunn, Kostas Sloukas, and Ömer Yurtseven spherical out a formidable squad, however the standing of Mathias Lessort stays unsure.
A leg break earlier this season put him out, however Ataman hinted at a dramatic return.
Tactics, tempo, and toughness
Jasikevicius is aware of it’ll come all the way down to controlling the glass, limiting “50-50 shots,” and containing Osman’s late-season surge.
Hayes-Davis versus Nunn may gentle up the courtroom – however Fenerbahçe insists it is workforce ball or nothing.
Panathinaikos lean on Sloukas’ courtroom imaginative and prescient and Nunn’s firepower, with Ataman’s fan-fueled swagger promising noise even within the Gulf.
For the primary time, the EuroLeague Final Four lands within the Middle East, drawing international consideration to Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena from May 23-25.
Win, and it’s a shot on the title on May 25 towards Olympiacos or AS Monaco. Lose, and it’s the bronze.
Source: www.dailysabah.com