Fenerbahce vs Panathinaikos

Fenerbahce has had a remarkable season despite facing significant injury challenges, giving them plenty of reasons to feel optimistic heading into the Final Four. Securing second place in the regular season, they maintained consistent performance with minimal dips in form.

Their quarterfinal sweep against Paris (3-0) and strong showings in the domestic league further highlight their resilience. Even without a traditional point guard for parts of the season, Fenerbahce has approached the tournament brimming with confidence.

Injuries to key backcourt players like Scottie Wilbekin, Wade Baldwin, and Devon Hall forced coach Sarunas Jasikevicius to adopt a deliberate, controlled style of play. With the fourth-slowest pace in the EuroLeague, Fenerbahce leaned on their exceptional rebounding—ranking second in the competition—to gain extra possessions and offset their playmaking limitations.

Marko Guduric stepped up as a reliable secondary creator, while Tarik Biberovic showed notable improvement. Wade Baldwin, entering the tournament highly motivated, has already stirred the pot with comments aimed at his likely defender, Jerian Grant. Known for his tactical brilliance, Jasikevicius faces the critical task of devising a plan to neutralize Kendrick Nunn, the EuroLeague’s top player.

Panathinaikos, on the other hand, didn’t dominate the regular season or their quarterfinal series against Anadolu Efes, but their championship pedigree and confidence remain undeniable. With a roster featuring many players from last season’s EuroLeague-winning squad, they know what it takes to succeed at this level and are driven to reclaim the title.

Kostas Sloukas, a veteran of countless Final Four appearances, is expected to elevate his game in clutch moments, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s elite.

Panathinaikos boasts the EuroLeague’s best player in Kendrick Nunn, who, despite inconsistent performances against Anadolu Efes, is poised to make an impact against Fenerbahce. Coach Ergin Ataman, renowned for motivating his squad and reviving struggling players, saw standout performances from Dinos Mitoglou and Cedi Osman in the quarterfinals.

Ataman also confirmed that Mathias Lessort will return after missing months due to a serious injury sustained against Baskonia. While Lessort’s condition is uncertain, his presence will undoubtedly energize the defending champions. With a deeper pool of elite backcourt creators and players experienced in winning the EuroLeague, Panathinaikos holds an offensive edge over Fenerbahce in this highly anticipated matchup.