Cool heads prevail as Panathinaikos advance to Euroleague title game
It wasn’t exactly the most electrifying start to the Euroleague Final Four. Delays with crowd trouble outside meant we had to wait for Panathinaikos and Fenerbahce to square off. Once they did, it was Ergin Ataman’s Greens that proved strategically superior. Well that was all a bit wild. Bizarre scenes outside led to a big […]
Preview: Real Madrid vs Olympiacos – Euroleague Final Four
lt’s a rematch of last year’s champions game as Chus Mateo and Real Madrid battle Georgios Bartzokas and Olympiacos in the Euroleague Final Four. Who comes out on top to progress to Sunday’s title game? Real Madrid enter the Euroleague Final Four in Berlin as defending champions. Chus Mateo is hungry to claim a 12th […]
Preview: Panathinaikos vs Fenerbahce – Euroleague Final Four
lt’s a return to the Euroleague Final Four for Panathinaikos while Fenerbahce face an old foe in Ergin Ataman. Who emerges on Friday to proceed to Sunday’s title game? The first of the Euroleague Final Four match-ups sees Sarunas Jasikevicius and Fenerbahce take on Ergin Ataman’s Panathinaikos. There’s lots of respect but no love lost […]
The state of the Euroleague (and other basketball things) address
An old tradition of BallinEurope is renewed in Berlin. On the eve of the Euroleague Final Four, Emmet Ryan is back with his annual address covering the league’s growth, the FIBA relationship, expansion, and more basketball things. My fellow sportsball fans. It has been far too long since the annual eve of the Euroleague Final […]
It’s been a year
A year ago, at the Euroleague Final Four, I had to cut things short quickly to be with my Dad. Now, as I sit in Berlin ready for the next one, it seems like a good time to reflect on a weird year in my life. This time last year was supposed to be a […]
Real Madrid have a target on their back in the Euroleague Final Four
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. The defending champions led the standings in the Euroleague regular season and swept Baskonia in the playoffs. Now, Real Madrid seek back to back titles for the first time since 1968. Absolutely everyone is gunning for them. Real Madrid entered this Euroleague season as the clear favourites […]
Olympiacos seek more than redemption at Euroleague Final Four
The narrative will, naturally, be about how Olympiacos lost last year’s Euroleague title game. The reality is about the focus on the now and what the Reds need to take that extra step in Berlin. When your semi-final match-up is a repeat of last year’s title game, minds will naturally wander to the revenge game […]
Fenerbahce will lean on courageous unselfishness in Euroleague Final Four
This has been a strange season for Fenerbahce in Euroleague. Sometimes, strange things can turn out to be good. At least that’s been the case so far under Sarunas Jasivkevicius. In the second of our deep dives into the four competitors in Berlin, it’s time to look at the Istanbul giants. There may be no […]
Panathinaikos return to Euroleague’s top table, now what?
In the first of our deep dives into all four competitors at the Euroleague Final Four, Emmet Ryan takes a look at Panathinaikos. The Greeks are back in the big show for the first time since 2012 but will they make a big impression? They have the most known owner in all of Euroleague basketball. […]
Alba Berlin keep it lit while in a home away from home
The eyes of European basketball turn to Berlin in a few days for the Euroleague Final Four. Before all that, there’s the small matter of the city’s pride and joy Alba Berlin looking to go deep in the Basketball Bundesliga playoffs. Emmet Ryan took in the sights and sounds from the Max Schmeling Halle as […]
Ergin Ataman gets the Hulk Hogan treatment
You know when you have an idea after a few drink? You know when you think it’s still a good idea sober. Well, Emmet Ryan is one to commit to the bit with this tribute video to Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman ahead of the Euroleague Final Four. I can’t sing. Nor, it turns out, […]
Luka Doncic drops his Still DRE game in Mavs win
Luka Doncic remembered what he loved about basketball right when the Mavs needed it. With a triple double, he led the Dallas Mavericks into a 3-2 lead over the OKC Thunder in the NBA playoffs This was the game where Luka Doncic remembered that Vassilis Spanoulis is his inspiration. The Mavs star was relaxed and […]