Olympiacos and Fenerbahce will compete in the first game of this year’s EuroLeague Final Four in Athens.
The two teams won their series against Monaco and Zalgiris respectively to reach the Final Four. They will now face off for a place in the Final.
Fan Support in the Arena
The biggest support will go to Olympiacos and Fenerbahce, with Panathinaikos absent despite their arena hosting the tournament.
Olympiacos can be considered the de facto host and will likely have the largest backing in the stands. Fenerbahce will be followed by several thousand fans travelling from Istanbul to Athens.
Both clubs have phenomenal fan bases, and a real spectacle is expected in the stands. The team that wins the battle in the stands could also win on the court.
Pressure on Olympiacos
Olympiacos may be the team under the most pressure at the tournament. They finished the regular season in first place and had what the source calls ‘by far the easiest Quarterfinal series win’. The Final Four being played in Athens adds to the pressure on Bartzokas’ squad.
This will be the fifth consecutive Final Four for Olympiacos. In the previous four, they reached only one Final, which they lost to Real Madrid.
Fenerbahce’s Title Defence
After years of searching, Fenerbahce and coach Sarunas Jasikevicius claimed the title. That could bring additional pressure, as they are the defending champions, but it could also free them from it.
The Turkish team finally claimed the title in Abu Dhabi.
Staying cool under pressure will be vital in this Semifinal.
Offence vs Defence
Olympiacos have been one of the best offensive teams in Europe throughout the season. They have the best two-point shooting percentages and the most assists per 40 minutes.
However, they now face one of the best defensive teams: Fenerbahce.
The teams met twice during the season, and the home side won both games. Still, it’s clear that things will likely be much more dramatic in the OAKA Arena.
The honor of opening the Final Four will go to the best team of the regular season and last year’s trophy winner.