Semifinals in Berlin serve up thrillers
The Final Four was staged in Berlin at O2 World and both semifinals were thrillers. The action started with reigning champion CSKA Moscow overcoming Regal FC Barcelona 82-78 with the Spanish side leading for the first three quarters before Ramunas Siskauskas scored all the points in a 0-11 fourth-quarter run that sent CSKA in front for good.
The other semifinal was even closer as archrivals Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos Athens went head-to-head in the first derby at the Final Four this century. After an intense battle, Nikola Pekovic gave Panathinaikos the lead, 82-84, with a minute remaining. Olympiacos had two chances to force overtime at the final buzzer, but Ioannis Bourousis hit the rim and Josh Childress couldn't convert the tip-in, so the Greens advanced to another championship game.