Panathinaikos BC has started the 2024-25 EuroLeague season with a win in Berlin, the same place it won last year's title last May.

Panathinaikos beats ALBA in Berlin, 77-87

In its first return to the German capital since winning the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title last May, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens collected its first win as reigning champion by downing ALBA Berlin 77-87 at Uber Arena in Round 1 on Thursday night.

Kendrick Nunn paced the winners with 16 points. Mathias Lessort added 14 and 8 rebounds, and Juancho Hernangomez had 11 points, while Kostas Sloukas and Jerian Grant scored 10 points apiece for Panathinaikos. Will McDowell-White netted 13 points in his EuroLeague debut with ALBA. Martin Hermannsson added 12, Trevion Williams had 11 while Khalifa Koumadje pulled down 13 rebounds for the hosts.

Game Videos

Lessort hit a five-minute jumper to get the first score of a new season. Nunn added a floater for a 0-4 Panathinaikos lead. Dinos Mitoglou bettered Louis Olinde's jump hook with a corner triple, then Lorenzo Brown swish a jumper for a 2-9 score. Jonas Mattisseck stepped up with a three-point play and Matteo Spagnolo added a backdoor layup to keep ALBA within 7-13. Lessort scored the next 6 points, including a power layup and a dunk to boost the Greens' margin to 7-19. Marius Grigonis struck from downtown and Grant scored in penetration, good for a 13-24 Panathinaikos lead. Spagnolo and McDowell-White brought ALBA within 17-26 after 10 minutes.

Omer Yurtseven scored around the basket early in the second quarter. Williams and McDowell-White each struck from beyond the arc to get ALBA closer, 23-30. Yurtseven and Yanni Wetzell exchanged dunks, then Hernangomez's triple restored a 25-35 Panathinaikos lead. McDowell-White scored again, Elias Rapieque added a driving layup and Justin Bean's three-pointer made the Greens call timeout at 32-37. Cedi Osman answered from downtown and Lessort dunked in traffic to keep the Greens out of trouble, 32-42. Nunn joined the three-point shootout but Khalifa Koumadje followed a jump hook with a tip-in to fix the halftime score at 36-45.

Game News

Lessort matched Hermannsson's first basket with a layup and soon added a dunk for a 38-49 Panathinaikos lead. Hermannson and Olinde stepped up for ALBA, then Koumadje's third-chance layup gave the hosts hope at 44-51. Hermannsson kept pacing ALBA and Koumadje ignited the crowd with an alley-oop slam that made it a four-point game, 47-51. Osman rescued Panathinaikos with a fast-break layup, which Nunn followed with a three-point play. A red-hot Hermannsson followed a floater with a three-pointer, then Spagnolo's circus shot got ALBA as close as 54-56, after a 7-0 run. Lorenzo Brown and Hernangomez helped Panathinaikos restore a 57-62 lead after 30 minutes.

Nunn buried back-to-back jumpers early in the fourth quarter, then Hernangomez dunked to restore a double-digit Panathinaikos lead, 57-68. Grant capped a 0-9 run with a three-pointer that McDowell-White matched at the other end. Williams and Mattisseck each joined the three-point shootout, then Justin Bean's coast-to-coast layup give ALBA fans plenty of hope, 68-73, with over 4 minutes left. Hernangomez sank his third three-pointer and Sloukas added his first one to make ALBA called a timeout at 68-79. Williams followed Koumadje's put-back slam with a three-pointer, then Olinde got the hosts within 75-79. Sloukas answered from beyond the arc to seal the outcome in the penultimate minute of the game.

The Greens returned to Berlin and did what it did last May: win

ALBA Berlin v Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (2024-10-03T16:45:00.000Z)

Check out what the coaches and players are saying ahead of the opening round of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season

Pre-game quotes hub: EuroLeague Round 1

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague finally returns on Thursday with six games, then three more on Friday. Ahead of Round 1, we bring you the pre-game quotes from all the teams in one place. This page will be updated throughout Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with thoughts from the players and head coaches of all 18 teams.

## Friday, October 4

### Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul vs. Olympiacos Piraeus (19:30 CEST)

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul head coach**

"Very happy to be starting the EuroLeague season. Missed the Ulker Arena, missed the fans. Obviously the opponent is top. It’s a great test but like we said, we are starting the grind and we have to be ready. Hoping the fans will appreciate Tyler Dorsey, the thing he did for Fenerbahce and show him respect. Like always against Olympiacos, we expect a very difficult game."

**Nicolo Melli, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul foward**

"It is always a special game, the first one. We play at home, we play against a great team like Olympiacos. So I know for sure that it’s gonna be a wonderful atmosphere and it’s gonna be a tough game. But we are at home, we have to defend our home court and we will try to get the win. I hope to see the arena full. I cannot wait to play again in this arena. It's nice to be back."

**Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiacos Piraeus head coach**

"As all teams in this period of time, we all trying to figure out what are our potentials through practices. There are many question marks since it is the first EuroLeague game of the season, still we will give our best to get the win. Fenerbache has a great roster and for sure it is going to be a tough game. We have a game plan and if we stick to it, we will have a good chance to win."

**Even Fournier, Olympiacos Piraeus guard**

"It’s a good way to start the season with a tough match up on the road. I am excited and I am looking forward to the game. We will have a good practice tonight and see what happens… When you play on the road, the most important thing is to be focused, to respect the game plan and play together. As far as it concerns me, I don’t think that it will be hard for me to adjust to the European style. Basketball is basketball!"

### Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Anadolu Efes Istanbul (21:00 CEST)

**Coach Banchi, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"The opening match against Efes will oppose us to one of the great powers of this decade, capable of already showing a high quality of play and cohesion, evidenced by the recent conquest of the Turkish Presidential Cup. They have a deep roster full of players capable of breaking the balance of the game, thanks to their technical and athletic qualities. The home debut in the EuroLeague will be an incentive to produce a game of consistency and continuity, fueled by the enthusiasm of our fans ready to stand by our side, in a season that we want to see us still playing a leading role."

**Will Clyburn, Virtus Segafredo Bologna head coach**

"Another EuroLeague season begins, maybe even more competitive than the past one and that is why it will be very exciting. At Efes I had two great seasons, I still have so many relationships with them, it will be nice and exciting to see them on the court again."

**Tomislav Mijatovic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul forward**

"Obviously a very important game for us in the opening week of the new EuroLeague season at a very tough road game against one of the most experienced teams this year in the EuroLeague. We know that it's gonna take our maximum effort to control the tempo of the offense, the tempo of the defense and the tempo of the game in order to put ourselves in a position to win the game - what we are going to Bologna for - and start the EuroLeague season with a great victory on the road. Of course, like I said, it's going to take 40 minutes of effort against a very well coached and a very experienced team. But our guys are ready and working very hard, and we're preparing to the maximum for that effort on Friday."

**Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"Virtus Segafredo Bologna is a very talented and an experienced team. They understand it is important to win home games in EuroLeague and will try to open the season with a victory. We have to be focused and the more aggressive team on both sides of the court. If we do that, I think we have a great chance to win."

### Paris Basketball vs. Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (21:00 CEST)

**Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade head coach**

"Paris is a team that plays with a lot of enthusiasm and energy, especially now that they are playing the first game, so they will be extra motivated. We have been practicing hard for couple of days, and are preparing for their defense and offense. We know their strengths and will try to disrupt anything they want to do in the offense."<br>
<br>
**Luka Mitrovic, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade center**

"The long-awaited start of the Euroleague! We are motivated, we worked well in practices in the previous period and I think we are ready. Against us, we have a new Euroleague team that will definitely be motivated to show themselves in the best possible way, and to show that they belong in this competition. An atypical team, somewhat unknown to all of us, especially in the early stages of the competition."

2024-25 season to mark the EuroLeague’s 25th anniversary


## Thursday, October 3

### ALBA Berlin vs. Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens (18:45 CEST)

**Israel Gonzalez, ALBA Berlin head coach:**

"Panathinaikos has an incredibly strong roster. They’re the defending EuroLeague champions and have only strengthened their rotation this season. It will be a tough game, but we're playing at home and want to show a team performance to bring all our energy onto the court. Intensity will play an important role, especially in the zone, in order to control Panathinaikos's strengths under the basket."

**Elias Rapieque, ALBA Berlin forward:**

"Playing against the defending champions right at the start of the EuroLeague is of course a huge task. But we have nothing to lose and are also playing at home at Uber Arena. That's definitely something special and will give us a bit of extra motivation. We have to keep the intensity high and have fun on the court as a team."

**Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach**

"We ended last season with a title in Berlin, and now we start the new season on the road in Berlin. We are ready for the season. All teams are strong, all teams want to win every game, especially when you play on the road it is very dangerous. Maybe some think ALBA is not a candidate for the place in the playoffs, but rosters on the paper is different than the game. In the opening round of the EuroLeague, in the entire first half of the season, everyone fights for as many victories and have a goal to reach the playoffs. It is very important to be calm, in the road game to play aggressive basketball with game discipline. Every game, especially in the beginning of the EuroLeague, is dangerous. Lorenzo Brown practiced with the team, I hope he will practice again \[Wednesday evening\] and I think he will be on the court \[against ALBA\]."

**Marius Grigonis, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard**

"It is always fun for me. I played there so it is really fun to visit the city, to see the familiar faces, and obviously last season was a happy ending for us there. In the EuroLeague you can never underestimate a team. Whether it is ALBA or Real Madrid, you have to play the same way. We are not 100% percent, but we are getting there. We are the champions team, we have a lot of character, so one loss \[in the Greek Super Cup against Olympiacos\] will not affect us."

### Zalgiris Kaunas vs. FC Barcelona (19:00 CEST)

**Andrea Trinchieri, Zalgiris Kaunas head coach**

"This is one of the strongest EuroLeague campaigns ever. And besides the fact it will be fun to watch, we have to swim these seas. A lot of shakes, a lot of big teams, a lot of talented players. I am thrilled, but the challenge, the task, it will be tough. I am 100 percent sure, and we have to keep focus one game at the time trying to push ourselves over the limits. And have in mind that the only thing we can do in this EuroLeague is to play the best basketball that we can and to be the best version of ourselves, players and coaches, and if we do these two things the score will take care of itself. We should not focus primarily on the scoreboard, because it may happen and it will happen that we do whatever we can but the other team will be better. Because the level of talent, strength and power of many teams is very, very high."

"\[Against Barcelona\], we have to understand early in the game what kind of game it will be, because nobody knows. It is the first game."

### AS Monaco vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (19:00 CEST)

**Ettore Messina, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"We are about to start a very high-level competition, very tough one. Each one of us will have to play for 34 games with concentration, attention to detail and with the best interests of the team at the top of his mind. During the preseason and up to the first Italian League game we demonstrated a good potential. However, we have to show it every game and for 40 minutes especially on the road, especially against top level teams such as Monaco, our first opponent."

**Nenad Dimitrijevic, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan head coach**

"It will be a tough game against a very competitive team, one of the best over the last three seasons. They made the Final Four a couple of years ago. They are a very physical team, with talented players. We need to approach this challenge the right way and try to get out of Monaco with a win. I was waiting the opportunity to play in the EuroLeague for some time, and to do that with a club like Olimpia Milan is a privilege."

### Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (20:30 CEST)

**Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach**

"It's the first game in the EuroLeague, and we are entering with high ambitions. We had some preseason games with EuroLeague teams. What I would like to see in this game is that we continue to play the same way we have done so far, with the same desire and energy that we've had in all the games we've played up to now. I think that's the most important thing. Talking about the court there, it’s always a tough place to play. Baskonia, despite changing the team and coach, maintains the same style of play. What’s specific about Pablo Laso’s teams is a lot of transition, a lot of individual solutions, isolations, one-on-one play, offensive rebounding and, of course, a player who is very important — Markus Howard, who is capable of taking over 15 three-point shots. So, we've already gone through all of that, we are ready, and we'll see how everything goes tomorrow."

**Brandon Davies, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade center**

"We are very excited to get the EuroLeague underway and started. Baskonia is a great team, very gifted and talented offensively. So, we need to make sure that we are also strong on offense ourselves. I've played against them many times in the ACB and EuroLeague, so I think we will be prepared."

### FC Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid (20:45 CEST)

**Gordie Herbert, FC Bayern Munich head coach**

"It’s one of the best teams in Europe, a giant in European basketball. We have to find ways to deal with their strengths, which is a challenge for the players and the coaches. But we need to impose our will on them, be physical."

**Niels Giffey, FC Bayern Munich forward**

"Real is always under pressure, but it certainly wouldn’t be easier to beat them if they played here on May 3rd. We have to approach this season as underdogs; we won’t often be the favorites. But I’m not thinking about who comes when. You have to play against these teams, anyway. We want to prove ourselves at this level. I really like the arena. I think the atmosphere will be amazing."

**Chus Mateo, Real Madrid head coach**

"Tomorrow we play a big game for both teams because it marks the start of a competition in which we are usually at the top, competing to win the title. Hopefully, this year we can say at the end that, once again, we have competed to win the trophy. Now we are starting to get to know each other as a team and we have to be patient, do things well and put our best foot forward. This is the key to being in a position to fight for titles throughout the year."

**Sergio Llull, Real Madrid guard**

"We face this new edition of the Euroleague, as always, with great desire, with great enthusiasm and being aware that we are in for a very tough competition since all the teams have reinforced themselves incredibly well. Our objective is none other than to try to fight for the title, which is what we have done in recent seasons.. Tomorrow we have a big game in Munich. Bayern inaugurates its new arena and we expect a tough match against a rival that always makes things very difficult for us and with a crowd that is very supportive at all times, although we will try to play good basketball and win."

### Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (21:00 CEST)

**Oded Kattash, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach**

"Under the circumstances, we are excited to start another EuroLeague season, a really challenging one. The first rounds in the EuroLeague ae always difficult, it is hard to predict who is going to win. We play at home, unfortunately not in front of our crowd, but we have to come out really focused and aggressive. We saw ASVEL, it is a dangerous teams, they try to create a lot of movement on their offense. Our job is first of all defensively, to try to slow them down. I expect a tough game."

Pre-game quotes hub: 'There are many question marks'

Virtus Segafredo Bologna v Anadolu Efes Istanbul (2024-10-04T19:00:00.000Z)

Paris Basketball v Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade (2024-10-04T19:00:00.000Z)

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus (2024-10-04T17:30:00.000Z)

FC Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (2024-10-03T18:45:00.000Z)

Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz v Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2024-10-03T18:30:00.000Z)

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv v LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne (2024-10-03T19:00:00.000Z)

Zalgiris Kaunas v FC Barcelona (2024-10-03T17:00:00.000Z)

AS Monaco v EA7 Emporio Armani Milan (2024-10-03T17:00:00.000Z)

Take a look at the EuroLeague team captains' survey for 2024-25!

Team captains' survey for 2024-25

You can't stop Mike James!

Welcome to the EuroLeague, Evan Fournier!

Dreaming of Real Madrid's Walter Tavares...

A highlight-reel machine!

An experience everyone looks forward to

The most talented player in the EuroLeague? It's a tie!

Having the ball on a string...

Just like every year, we have approached the 18 captains of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams with a few questions on their predictions for the new season. Here are their answers.

Here you can find all the latest injury news surrounding all registered players in the 2024-25 EuroLeague season.

EuroLeague injury report

Follow all the latest injury information for registered players in the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, as reported by the clubs, and get your [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home?_ga=2.101462721.1199459303.1696273873-903329349.1669636775) teams up to date!

**ALBA Berlin**

Gabriele Procida, who was questionable with foot problems, is not on the gameday roster.

Malte Delow is out after a concussion.

Matt Thomas is out with a knee injury.

Ziga Samar is out with a foot injury.

**Anadolu Efes Istanbul**

Efes has listed all of its players available for its Round 1 game at Virtus on Friday.

**AS Monaco**

The reigning EuroLeague MVP Mike James, who was a game-time decision for the opener against Milan, is on the gameday roster.

[Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/nick-calathes-out-3-4-weeks-with-knee-injury/) will miss 3-4 weeks due to a knee injury.

There are no other reported injuries from Monaco.

**Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz**

Kamar Baldwin and Donta Hall did not play in the Spanish League over the weekend. Their Round 1 status is uncertain.

Baskonia has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game vs. Partizan.

**Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade**

Branko Lazic is out for Round 1 game in Paris with a leg injury.

[Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/round-34-disciplinary-sanctions/) will miss Round 1 and Round 2 games due to suspension.

**EA7 Emporio Armani Milan**

Milan has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game at Monaco.

**FC Barcelona**

Willy Hernangomez, who did not play in the Spanish League over the weekend, is on the gameday roster.

Dario Brizuela, another who did feature in the Spanish League over the weekend, is not on the gameday roster.

Barcelona has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game at Zalgiris.

**FC Bayern Munich**

Bayern has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game vs. Real Madrid.

**Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul**

Tarik Biberovic is out with an injury for Round 1 against Olympiacos.

**LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne**

ASVEL has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game against Maccabi.

**Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv**

Wenyen Gabriel will miss Round 1 due to injury.

Maccabi has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game against ASVEL.

**Olympiacos Piraeus**

Moustapha Fall (injured), Nikola Milutinov (injured), Keenan Evans (injured) and Naz Mitrou Long did not travel with the team for Round 1 game at Fenerbahce.

Shaquielle McKissic travelled and is available for Round 1.

**Panathinaikos Athens**

Kostas Antetokounmpo is out for the season opener against ALBA with a right thumb fracture.

Panathinaikos has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game at ALBA.

**Paris Basketball**

Paris has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game vs. Crvena Zvezda on Friday.

**Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade**

Duane Washington has travelled to the United States with a permission of the team and is not available for the season opener at Baskonia.

Isaiah Mike is will miss Round 1 game due to a calf injury.

Mitar Bosnjakovic and Aleksa Dimitrijevic did not travel with the team.

**Real Madrid**

Mario Hezonja did not play in the Spanish League over the weekend and is out for Round 1.

Serge Ibaka did not play in the Spanish League over the weekend, but he is available.

Real Madrid has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game at Bayern.

**Virtus Segafredo Bologna**

Tornike Shengelia did not play in the Italian League game over the weekend. His status is uncertain for Round 1 vs. Efes on Friday.

Virtus has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game against Efes.

**Zalgiris Kaunas**

[Brady Manek](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/zalgiris-kaunas-brady-manek-out-for-three-weeks/) will not play in Round 1 due to an ankle sprain.

Zalgiris has not sent an injury report for its Round 1 game against Barcelona.

Stay up to date with the latest information provided by the EuroLeague clubs

Injury report, Round 1: Olympiacos missing four in action

Euroleague.net's team of experts – Javier Gancedo, Geoff Gillingham, Frankie Sachs and Igor Petrinovic – have made their bold predictions for Round 1 of the 2024-25 season.

Bold predictions, Round 1: Road winners are the theme

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is upon us! Some 130 days after Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens was last seen lifting the EuroLeague trophy in Berlin, Germany, we are back for the start of a new campaign. 

All 18 teams – which includes one newcomer, Paris Basketball – have everything to play for at this point, and even though it is just Round 1, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Every Game Matters mantra is truer now more than ever.

Ahead of the opening set of games, the [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net) experts have each selected one bold prediction that they believe will come true.

### Milan upsets Monaco on the road

### *By Javier Gancedo*

I really like the way Milan improved its roster this season, adding Josh Nebo to play way above the rim and Neno Dimtrijevic, whose development was one of the best kept secrets in European basketball. Milan has won the Italian Super Cup, Shavon Shields and Nikola Mirotic are healthy, and the team should take off right away, starting with a road win at Salle Gaston Medecin. Even if Mike James plays, it will be his first game of the season after not featuring domestically following surgery. Milan already won in Monaco last season with six players scoring in double digits. Nebo gives Milan a physical advantage in the paint against most teams, being a terrific offensive rebounder. The way I see it, Milan gets its first win right away.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">LO SAPEVI?<br>🇮🇹Quattro giocatori dell’Olimpia stasera faranno il loro debutto in EuroLeague<br>🇬🇧Four Olimpia players will make their EuroLeague debut tonight<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#insieme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaOlimpia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaOlimpia</a> <a href="https://t.co/z0ilyjO7ty">pic.twitter.com/z0ilyjO7ty</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1841808014405173712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Partizan among a bunch of road winners

### *by Frankie Sachs*

Is there such thing as a bold prediction in Round 1? Do any of us know anything yet? I can make a case for both teams in almost any game this week. That said, one I believe in that might be going against the grain is that Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade opens the season with a road win. The Partizan lineup is stacked and head coach Zeljko Obradovic knows how to get the most out of talent. Whether they will hit the ground running against a strong Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz team is the only question, and I believe the answer is yes. I would bet that more than half of Round 1 games are won by the road teams, with Partizan standing proudly atop that list.  

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Morning practice.✊🏽<br><br>📍Vitoria, Spain | 🔜 <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@euroleague</a> round 01 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KKPartizan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KKPartizan</a> <a href="https://t.co/KASpxkWPd5">pic.twitter.com/KASpxkWPd5</a></p>&mdash; KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/PartizanBC/status/1841775185617420512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Fenerbahce to down Olympiacos in a thriller

### *by Geoff Gillingham*

The standout game in Round 1, at least from my perspective, is when Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul hosts Olympiacos Piraeus – two teams seem like locks to make the Final Four next May – on Friday night. Both teams have done an impressive job at improving their rosters this past summer, but I think new Fenerbahce signings Wade Baldwin, Bonzie Colson and Nicolo Melli will all have telling impacts en route to a opening-round triumph. That is not to say that I think it will be easy; I expect it to go down to the final minutes, then Fenerbahce pulls it out right at the end.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">Büyük Fenerbahçe Taraftarı ile buluşma zamanı! 💛💙<br><br>Yarın 20.30’da evimiz Ülker Spor ve Etkinlik Salonu’nda buluşuyoruz!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YellowLegacy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YellowLegacy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EuroLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmatbsC8z9">pic.twitter.com/cmatbsC8z9</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1841825995986276827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### With or without Larkin, Efes will beat Virtus

### *by Igor Petrinovic*

Will Clyburn, Anadolu Efes Istanbul's second-best scorer (13.3 ppg.) and top rebounder (4.6 rpg.) last season moved from the Turkish side to Virtus Segafredo Bologna over the summer, creating an ideal storyline entering this Round 1 bout. Back in mid-April, Virtus downed Efes on the road in their exciting first-round matchup in the Play-In Showdown. With Clyburn as its new star, Virtus now awaits Efes in the season opener on its home floor at Unipol Arena. So, a bit of addition and subtraction suggests that Virtus, with Clyburn, will have an upper hand on Efes, now without Clyburn, who played more than 28 minute per game a season ago. In addition, Efes might not have Shane Larkin, who missed all of Efes's preseason games, including the Turkish Super Cup on Sunday. But with or without Larkin, I say the Tomislav Mijatovic-led Efes will emerge victorious from Bologna.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="tr" dir="ltr">💪 Hasret bitiyor, heyecan başlıyor! <br><br>🆕 Yeni zaferler, yeni hikayeler için yine birlikteyiz!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BenimYerimBuras%C4%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BenimYerimBurası</a> <a href="https://t.co/oOq8b2j52v">pic.twitter.com/oOq8b2j52v</a></p>&mdash; Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnadoluEfesSK/status/1841752866760872223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Euroleague.net's team of experts have each come up with one valiant forecast ahead of the opening round of the 2024-25 season

The 2024-25 EuroLeague season gets underway on Thursday, October 3, and that marks the start of a new series by Euroleague Basketball called ‘Rivalry Series’, which focuses on one key fixture each round. To kick things off is FC Bayern Munich hosting Real Madrid this Thursday night at the brand-new SAP Garden, which opens its doors on the continental stage for the first time. 

The EuroLeague's Rivalry Series is ready for lift-off

The 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season gets underway on Thursday, October 3, and that marks the start of a new series by Euroleague Basketball called ‘Rivalry Series’, which focuses on one key fixture each round. To kick things off is FC Bayern Munich hosting Real Madrid this Thursday night at the brand-new SAP Garden, which opens its doors on the continental stage for the first time.

Rivalry Series games will build on historic and new rivalries around the league by focusing on creating momentum on a round-by-round basis, sparking the conversation among fans.  Rivalry Series will hit EuroLeague platforms using a 360º strategy, be that on social media, the website or the broadcast itself. On-site social media coverage, a pre- and post-game show for selected Rivalry Series games, special podcasts recorded at the newly built studio at Euroleague Basketball headquarters and much more to bring fans even closer to the action for the biggest games in the EuroLeague calendar.

Rivalry Series fixtures will include the Istanbul, Spanish, Greek, Serbian and Italian derbies, as well as the clash between Paris Basketball and Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens – last year’s winners of the BKT EuroCup and EuroLeague, respectively – and a rematch of the 2024 championship game between the Greens and Real Madrid, among many more.

Fans will be brought even closer to the protagonists – the players

Fans of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge are in for a treat heading into the 2024-25 season. Here's is a reminder of the basic rules, deadlines, scoring charts, and some important tips from our experts on details that can make your teams more successful, all in one place.

EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge: Rules, deadlines and tips

For all fans and managers competing in the [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://fantasychallenge.page.link/game), here is a reminder of the basic rules, deadlines, scoring charts, and some important tips from our experts on details that can make your teams more successful, all in one place.

### Basic Rules

Fantasy managers get 100 credits per team to build their initial team: a squad of four guards, four forwards, two centers and one head coach. So, a total of 10 players and one coach.

### Deadlines

At the end of each **round,** you can sell and buy players to improve your fantasy team. All the changes on each fantasy team need to be submitted before the first game of the next round tips off.

Each round is divided into **turns**, which are equivalent to the block of games played on a single day. Between Turn 1 and Turn 2, you can change the formation, captain and make alterations between those on court and those on the bench. You can move players from the bench into your starting five, or from the bench to the role of sixth man, only if those players have not played yet.

### Scoring

The players in your fantasy team get a score based on the real statistics recorded in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season. The starting five players, the sixth man and the coach get 100% of the points, while the players on the bench get 50%.

A selected captain among the players in your starting five will have his score multiplied by 1.5x.

### Trades

Between the end of each round and the beginning of the next one, the **trade market** opens. Fantasy managers can either trade four players and retain their head coach, or they can trade three players and change their coach. Ahead of a few specific rounds, trades will be unlimited.

The dates for unlimited trades are:

1. **After Round 4**: October 19-23
2. **After Round 10**: November 16-20
3. **After Round 17**: December 21-26
4. **After Round 22**: January 18-23
5. **After Round 26**: February 8-27
6. Fantasy managers can make **unlimited alterations** to their rosters **during the postseason**, too, because the number of trades per round are unlimited during the play-in, playoff and Final Four phases.

### Tips

These are some of the most important tips:

- Edit your team every round in order to have a team of 10 players that are distributed over the different turns. Before the beginning of the round, always line up the players who take to the court in Turn 1 (T1): you can then replace them after the turn finished if you are not satisfied.
- Make sure to check the players' injury status via the injury report on [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)
- Keep an eye on the calendar for possible/potential winning streaks, as well as favorable matchups for the players on your fantasy teams.
- Don't forget about your head coach.

**Prizes**

The list of available prizes for the 2024-25 season includes tickets to games, official EuroLeague jerseys and basketballs, subscriptions to EuroLeague TV and more, highlighted by the grand prize: a VIP package for the winner and a friend to attend the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, including flights, four hotel nights and VIP tickets.

A few things to keep in mind when putting together your fantasy teams throughout the season

Two of the most clutch players in the EuroLeague, Baskonia's Markus Howard and KK Partizan's Iffe Lundberg, will go head-to-head in Round 1 of the 2024-25 season.

Markus Howard, Iffe Lundberg ready to battle in Round 1 shootout

The opening round of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season is jam-packed with must-watch games featuring a plethora of top players, but one of the most exciting matchups takes place in Vitoria-Gasteiz as Baskonia welcomes Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Among the many stars in that clash are two of last season's most clutch players, Baskonia's [Markus Howard](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/markus-howard/011948/) and Partizan's [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/iffe-lundberg/010781/).

Howard was last season's EuroLeague Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy winner, an award he will receive ahead of tipoff on Thursday night, having set the all-time single-season records for points scored (759) and three-pointers made (148). Lundberg averaged 9.4 points last season but, just like Howard, he often had the ball in his hands when it mattered most.

Whether it was a shot to win the game, send it to overtime, or just scoring a tough bucket in a key situation, the two guards repeatedly stepped up in clutch situations in 2023-24. On Thursday, they will have a chance to come to the fore once again.

More Baskonia vs. Partizan News

2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague | Round 1 Head-to-Head: Howard vs. Lundberg

The two guards made several clutch, game-deciding baskets last season

FC Bayern Basketball hosts Real Madrid in the first-ever EuroLeague game at SAP Garden, the German club's new home.

Bayern vs. Real Madrid: SAP Garden to open with a bang

A top-class arena has the chance to propel a club into a new dimension, and that is very much what FC Bayern Munich is hoping for. Now entering its 10th Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign, the German giant will present its brand-new SAP Garden on the continental stage against the most successful team in EuroLeague history, Real Madrid, in the first Rivalry Series game of the season.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The first Rivalry Series game of the 2024-25 season 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCBBasketball</a> hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/RMBaloncesto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMBaloncesto</a> in the opening game of SAP Garden in Munich 🇩🇪<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalrySeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RivalrySeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZcumqC6K5p">pic.twitter.com/ZcumqC6K5p</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1841448046720078056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Every new campaign brings new hope and optimism, making this Round 1 clash particularly interesting. Bayern is coming off a summer in which it changed head coach following Pablo Laso’s surprise departure, with [Gordie Herbert](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fc-bayern-basketball-tabs-world-champion-gordie-herbert-as-head-coach/) – the architect of Germany’s run to a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and a fourth-placed finish at the 2024 Olympic Games – being the new man in charge. He has several familiar faces from his time with the national team on Bayern’s roster, including new additions [Oscar da Silva](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/oscar-da-silva/011244/) and [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/johannes-voigtmann/007201/), making the adjustment process that much smoother.

For Real, it is coming off three successive trips to the EuroLeague Championship Game and will be hoping for the same again in 2024-25. However, it lost a lot of experience and key players in its rotation this past summer, with [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/rudy-fernandez-calls-time-on-a-glittering-career/) and [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/three-time-euroleague-champ-sergio-rodriguez-retires/) retiring, while [Guerschon Yabusele](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/guerschon-yabusele/010357/), [Fabien Causeur](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/fabien-causeur/001392/) and [Vincent Poirier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vincent-poirier/004887/) have all sought pastures new. That means that the core players who have remained, like [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/walter-tavares/005791/), [Facundo Campazzo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/facundo-campazzo/005928/), [Mario Hezonja](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mario-hezonja/003108/) and [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dzanan-musa/006540/), will see their roles increase even further. A couple of players have returned to the club this summer, too, in [Serge Ibaka](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/serge-ibaka/003583/) and [Usman Garuba](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/usman-garuba/007630/).

In fact, Ibaka gets an early opportunity to face his former team after returning to Europe last year with Bayern. Aged 35, the veteran big man still posted impressive numbers in Munich, averaging 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks across 28 EuroLeague games, and his one-two punch with Tavares should be deadly all season long. 

Ahead of his big move to Real Madrid, look back some of the highlights in his one-season stay with FC Bayern Munich.

Serge Ibaka | Best 2023-24

If Bayern may be in for a long night in the paint, one area where it may be able to have some joy against Real is at the guard positions. In a new offensive scheme under Coach Herbert, scorers [Carsen Edwards](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/carsen-edwards/011987/), [Shabazz Napier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/shabazz-napier/011224/) and [Andreas Obst](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/andreas-obst/004508/) should be given free rein, with [Nick Weiler-Babb](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/nick-weiler-babb/010391/) and [Yam Madar](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/yam-madar/011052/) making their presence felt on defense against Campazzo, in particular.

SAP Garden is able to hold 12,500 fans, way up from the 6,500 capacity of BMW Park, and Bayern will be banking on its fans being the sixth man on Thursday night. Real comes into this game on a four-game winning streak against Bayern, having last lost to the German giant in Madrid in April 2022, and it has been victorious on its last four trips to Munich. The last time Bayern defeated Real at home was in late October 2019, while the only other time it beat *Los Blancos* came in its first-ever EuroLeague campaign in 2013-14.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🌟 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 🌟<br><br>🔥 Munich, it´s time!<br>🏟️ Oct 3 | <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> Opener | <a href="https://twitter.com/SAPGarden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SAPGarden</a> <br>🏀 Bayern vs. Real Madrid<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAPGarden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAPGarden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fcbayern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OLYMPIAPARK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OLYMPIAPARK</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Nu6eXfqCS">pic.twitter.com/6Nu6eXfqCS</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1840723046501433599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

There should be quite the show – on and off the court – for the 16th meeting between Bayern and Real in the EuroLeague. In addition to following this Rivalry Series clash via EuroLeague TV, check out the EuroLeague’s social media channels as we bring you even closer to the action. For post-game analysis from the experts, [EuroLeague.net](http://EuroLeague.net) is the place to go. 

Bayern is aiming to start off its new era at SAP Garden with a bang, but will Real play the role of party pooper? We will find out on Thursday night!

In the first round of the new season, optimism is very much in the air