Scottie Wilbekin, Fenerbahce: 'Excited to experience everything'

Now in his eighth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, Scottie Wilbekin of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul has arrived in Berlin for the first Final Four of his career. Before heading out to eat with his father, who flew halfway around the globe to be here, Wilbekin stopped by the interview station at the Final Four headquarters hotel to chat. His team faces Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the first semifinal on Friday.

Second to the interview station at the Final Four headquarters hotel in Berlin on Wednesday was Sergio "El Chacho" Rodriguez of Real Madrid, a nine-time and three-time winner of the even whose team rolled into the German capital as champions. His team faces a title-game rematch with Olympiacos Piraeus in the semifinals on Friday.

Sergio Rodriguez, Real Madrid: 'It's the final test'

Olympiacos Piraeus, ready to play a club-record third consecutive Final Four, was the first to arrive in Berlin on Wednesday with eyes on a rematch from last season's title game coming against Real Madrid in the semifinals on Friday. Shaquielle McKissic was first up to the mic to talk about his team's vibe as they look ahead to the games.

Shaquielle McKissic, Olympiacos: 'We're optimistic'

Ahead of the arrival of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four teams on Wednesday evening to the German capital, another guest of honor has made the journey and will soon take center stage at midcourt of Uber Arena, scene of the semifinals on Friday and the championship game on Sunday. 

The trophy has arrived to Berlin!

Ahead of the arrival of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four teams on Wednesday evening to the German capital, another guest of honor has made the journey and will soon take center stage at midcourt of Uber Arena, scene of the semifinals on Friday and the championship game on Sunday. This guest of honor, in fact, is what each of those four teams came here to claim and have been intent on partying with all season long. The lucky one among them will get to raise this guest of honor to the heavens and drink champagne from it in a few days. Follow the trail of the champions trophy as it joins Berlin's weekend-long basketball bash!

A playoff series for the ages, first ever decided in overtime and the improbable and awaiting winning a game five.

Final Four preview: Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is returning to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four for the first time since 2019 with a mix of newcomers and experienced players that pay off in Berlin.

Fenerbahce became the first-ever EuroLeague team to win Game 5 on the road when it defeated AS Monaco in overtime. One of the players making his Final Four debut is Scottie Wilbekin, whose 240th EuroLeague showdown will be the semifinal against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

"I'm not expecting anything easy, but obviously it's just one game so it's going to come down to who's more focused, who limits their mistakes and who who has a better game, ultimately," Wilbekin said.

It will be a special game for head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and playmaker Nick Calathes, who won respective EuroLeague titles with the Greens in 2009 and 2011. Jasikevicius has a chance to become the first person to win the EuroLeague as player and coach in more than 20 years.

"It's a very special situation considering the past we had together and and, you know, my love for the club and the amounts of people on the other side that I know, from the staff and, and just the amounts of friends over there in Athens," Jasikevicius said. "And at the same time, you have to leave that aside and you have to try to go do your job the best for Fenerbahce. And this is exactly what I will try to do."

"I started my career at Panathinaikos. I was with them for seven years. I won a EuroLeague with them, so going against them, it will be a lot of feelings," Calathes said. "But at the end of the day, we go there to try to win the game and try to win a championship."

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2024-05-24T16:00:00.000Z)

For Olek Balcerowski, he has always known his father, Marcin, in a wheelchair. The Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens big man was born in November 2000, but 27 months prior, in August 1998, a severe car crash resulted in Marcin seriously injuring his spine and spinal cord, leaving him wheelchair-bound. Yet, the sport of basketball provided a second opportunity to Olek’s father.

Olek Balcerowski, Panathinaikos: ‘Basketball saved my father’s life’

For [Olek Balcerowski](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/aleksander-balcerowski/007553/), he has always known his father, Marcin, in a wheelchair. 

The Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens big man was born in November 2000, but 27 months prior, in August 1998, a severe car crash resulted in Marcin seriously injuring his spine and spinal cord, leaving him wheelchair-bound. 

Yet, the sport of basketball provided a second opportunity to Olek’s father, who was a semi-professional player before the crash and went on to become a star wheelchair basketball player, even representing the Polish national team at the 2012 Olympic Games. 

Last summer, shortly after Olek had joined Panathinaikos, Marcin came out of retirement to sign for the Greens’ wheelchair team, allowing them to play for the same club team for the first time in their careers.

More Olek Balcerowski News

The father of the Greens’ center was involved in a car crash and has been in a wheelchair ever since

Very few teams have ever come so close to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title without being able to lift the trophy than Olympiacos Piraeus a year ago. Back for a club-record third consecutive Final Four in Berlin this weekend, the Reds are ready to learn from that experience, starting with a 2023 championship game rematch in the semifinals against Real Madrid on Friday at Uber Arena.

'Now it's time for us to win': Final Four preview, Olympiacos

Very few teams have ever come so close to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title without being able to lift the trophy than Olympiacos Piraeus a year ago. Back for a club-record third consecutive Final Four in Berlin this weekend, the Reds are ready to learn from that experience, starting with a 2023 championship game rematch in the semifinals against Real Madrid on Friday at Uber Arena.

"We should have won that game," point guard Thomas Walkup remembered. "We didn't, and that's on us, but we're going back with that same mindset, that we're here to win this thing."

Nobody knows better than Olympiacos forward Kostas Papanikolaou what such success takes. He was a young buck when the Reds took back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, and now he's a veteran cherishing every opportunity that comes his team's way.

"It's the same feeling, the same excitement like the first time. You cannot get enough of it," Papanikolaou says. "All this is what sports is about. This is what you love about playing basketball, or sports in general; to be on the center stage and competing for big titles."

Guiding Papanikolaou and his teammates back in 2013 was head coach Georgios Bartzokas, who masterminded a 17-point comeback in that year's title game to beat none other than Real Madrid. Despite last season's last-gasp loss and Real's dominance all of this season, Bartzokas says his team is ready.

"We believe in ourselves," the Reds' boss says. "We are sure that we're going to be really competitive."

MORE OLYMPIACOS NEWS

Now it's time for us to win | Final Four preview | Olympiacos

Last year's oh-so-close runners-up are aiming to take their destiny one shot further to a title at the Final Four in Berlin.

“Every time you put this jersey on, you need to win,” said All-EuroLeague First Team forward Dzanan Musa as he looked ahead to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin and his team’s semifinals clash with Olympiacos Piraeus. “Not every player can play in Real Madrid because of the pressure.”

'We believe in each other': Final Four preview, Real Madrid

“Every time you put this jersey on, you need to win,” said All-EuroLeague First Team forward Dzanan Musa as he looked ahead to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin and his team’s semifinals clash with Olympiacos Piraeus. “Not every player can play in Real Madrid because of the pressure.”

The reigning champs are a star-studded squad that won’t settle for anything less than successfully defending the crown, as Musa alluded to. What makes them so special is not just their ability to handle the pressure or to put the ball in the basket. According to their head coach, it’s something else entirely. 

“My team is a team with character, a lot of talented players on offense,” Coach Chus Mateo explained. “But the most important thing is that all of them are playing for the team. The strength is the team.”

Musa went even further: “All the Real Madrid organization is like one big family. That’s why in stressful moments, you believe in the family member.” 

With 11 members of last season’s championship team on the current roster, this family is as strong and connected as ever. Will that be enough to topple Olympiacos like they did in last season’s final?

“As they know us, we know them,” Musa summed up. “It’s gonna be a dogfight, but we will come prepared.”

MORE REAL MADRID NEWS

Dzanan Musa: “Every time you put this jersey on, you need to win.”

The reigning champs are a star-studded squad that won’t settle for anything less than successfully defending the crown

Dyshawn Pierre is one of the longest-tenured players at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. In his fourth season with the club, Pierre has finally reached his first Final Four.

Dyshawn Pierre: 'You understand how big the EuroLeague really is'

[Dyshawn Pierre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/dyshawn-pierre/010560/) is one of the longest-tenured players at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. In his fourth season with the club, Pierre has finally reached his first Final Four.

During his time in Istanbul he has seen many ups and downs, experienced four coaching changes, including one this season, and suffered two playoff exits before finally making it to the end-of-season event in a crazy series against AS Monaco.

"It's amazing", Pierre, a native of Canada, says about making it to the Final Four in his fourth EuroLeague season and eighth overall on the continent.

"Going through each year, you kind of understand how big the EuroLeague really is. Getting to Fener, understanding what the goal was, understanding how hard it is to play EuroLeague sometimes, it is an accomplishment to make it to the Final Four."

Watch the entire interview as Pierre talks about, among many things, what Fenerbahce has come to mean for him, playing for head coach Saras Jasikevicius, and what his teammate with previous Final Four experience are telling him ahead of the trip to Berlin.

Dyshawn Pierre, Fenerbahce: 'You understand how big the EuroLeague really is'

“Everybody believed at the end of the season, we will have a chance to reach our big goals. And now. Of course, to be in the Final Four is a great feeling for Panathinaikos fans. But now, all of us, we want more,” Coach Ergin Ataman said as he looked ahead to the games in Berlin, which open with a Friday evening showdown between his Greens and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

'We want more': Final Four preview, Panathinaikos

“Everybody believed at the end of the season, we will have a chance to reach our big goals. And now. Of course, to be in the Final Four is a great feeling for Panathinaikos fans. But now, all of us, we want more,” Coach Ergin Ataman said as he looked ahead to the games in Berlin, which open with a Friday evening showdown between his Greens and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.

Ataman was careful to note that his team was essentially built from scratch, with only three holdovers from the 2022-23 season. It took time, but as he mentioned: “This team, after the second part of the regular season, started to play excellent basketball.”

A true players coach, Ataman gives his charges confidence and freedom. But with that comes expectations. 

“The players will decide the results of the game,” he added. 

Fortunately for Ataman, he has three of the biggest stars of the league on his roster and each of them opined on what it will take to bring the EuroLeague Trophy back to Athens. 

“It’s gonna come down to making it a dog fight,” All-EuroLeague First Team center Mathias Lessort explained. “Fight for every ball, fight for every possession. Defensively, offensively, take care of the ball. No turnovers.” 

The team’s top scorer and fellow All-EuroLeague First Teamer Kendrick Nunn shared that sentiment or getting the job done on both ends of the floor: “I think our ability to get hot offensively will be a big key for us in a one-game setting. And just getting some stops.” 

No player at the Final Four has more experience than Kostas Sloukas, a three-time champion who will compete at European basketball’s flagship event for the 10th time. 

“We have to be hungry. We have to be physically and mentally ready,” Sloukas advised. “This kind of game, for sure tactics is one thing, but you have to be aggressive and play physical and be strong.”

While many of the Greens will be featuring at a Final Four for the first time, having a confident head coach and leaders to lean on could make a difference for Panathinaikos.  

MORE PANATHINAIKOS NEWS

“Everybody believed at the end of the season, we will have a chance to reach our big goals. And now. Of course, to be in the Final Four is a great feeling for Panathinaikos fans. But now, all of us, we want more,” Coach Ergin Ataman said as he looked ahead to the games in Berlin, which open with a Friday evening showdown between his Greens and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul.
Ataman was careful to note that his team was essentially built from scratch, with only three holdovers from the 2022-23 season. It took time, but as he mentioned: “This team, after the second part of the regular season, started to play excellent basketball.”
A true players coach, Ataman gives his charges confidence and freedom. But with that comes expectations.

We WANT MORE | Final Four Preview | Panathinaikos

After 14 seasons in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Real Madrid swingman Rudy Fernandez has had a career matched by very few players. He is a three-time EuroLeague champ, an All-EuroLeague team selection and he has won a flurry of other accolades both with the Spanish national team and the domestic competitions.

Rudy Fernandez, Real: 'I have always tried to help the team'

After 14 seasons in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Real Madrid swingman [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/) has had a career matched by very few players. He is a three-time EuroLeague champ, an All-EuroLeague team selection and he has won a flurry of other accolades both with the Spanish national team and the domestic competitions.

He made his EuroLeague debut with Joventut Badalona, the club he formed himself as a player, but it has been with Los Blancos that Rudy spent the most of his career and accomplished the bulk of his goals, after a stint in the NBA.

"I decided to stay with Real Madrid because I felt very comfortable, really loved by the people that weok here and my teammates," says Rudy. "At that point you realize how important it is sometimes to feel comfortable, to feel well in a place. And that is reflected in the titles we won."

This will be Rudy's ninth Final Four appearance and also his last, according to a press conference he held a few weeks ago in which he all but confirmed that he would be retiring at the end of the current season. He will now be playing for his fourth EuroLeague crown in Berlin and, to him, that' all that matters - the team winning over his individual accolades.

"I was never obsessed with winning a lot of titles and having a big roll of honors," Rudy explains. "I have always tried to focus on working for the team. I always tried to sacrifice a lot of things to help the team."

Top 5 Plays | Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Just before the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, let's check out the top five plays of the season from Real Madrid.

Top 5 Plays | Real Madrid | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

Ahead of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, be sure to check out the top five plays of the season so far from Olympiacos Piraeus.

 Top 5 Plays | Olympiacos Piraeus | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

Ahead of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, be sure to check out the top five plays of the season so far from Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul!

Top 5 Plays | Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague 

FENERBAHCE BEKO ISTANBUL NEWS

Top 5 Plays | Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

In order to celebrate such a great Top 10, Euroleague Basketball brought in Beau Estes aka the GOATmentator, universally acclaimed in social media as the best Top 10 announcer in the business. His distinctive voice and second-to-none flow calling plays make our Regular Season and Playoffs Top 10 even better. Go check it out! 

Top 10 PLAYS | Regular Season & Playoffs | 2023-24 Turkish Airlnes EuroLeague 

In order to celebrate such a great Top 10, Euroleague Basketball brought in Beau Estes aka the GOATmentator, universally acclaimed in social media as the best Top 10 announcer in the business. His distinctive voice and second-to-none flow calling plays make our Regular Season and Playoffs Top 10 even better. Go check it out!

Top 10 PLAYS | Regular Season & Playoffs | 2023-24 Turkish Airlnes EuroLeague

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is back at the Final Four and so is guard Marko Guduric. In his second stint and sixth season with the team, the 29-year old Guduric is getting ready for a trip to Berlin which will be his third Final Four, but first since 2019.

Marko Guduric: 'Winning the EuroLeague with Fener would be a dream come true'

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is back at the Final Four and so is guard [Marko Guduri](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/marko-guduric/004004/)c. In his second stint and sixth season with the team, the 29-year old Guduric is getting ready for a trip to Berlin which will be his third Final Four, but first since 2019.

"It's been five years and for Fenerbahce that's a lot", Guduric says to [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)'s Igor Petrinovic. "It's a great feeling. And I am really proud of the team and of myself."

To get to the German capital with the right to compete for EuroLeague glory, Fenerbahce needed to make history and become the first team to win a deciding Game 5 on the road. And it did so in overtime against AS Monaco.

Fenerbahce had to show great character, especially since it previously squandered an opportunity to clinch the series in Game 4 at home. But the team found a way to bounce back and show the traits that it wants to have on display in Berlin.

"The biggest strength of this team is just -  team", Guduric explains. "We don't rely on one guy or two guys. It's about team, sharing the ball, it's about playing the right way and following the rules, which is really important."

For Guduric, the story around this Final Four is different than the previous two occasions when he made the trips, in 2018 and 2019. Both of those years Fenerbahce had the status of a favorite and its Final Four appearances were expected, to say the least.

But since then, Fenerbahce went through four coaching changes in the last four years and Guduric has seen every one of those. The journey proved just how hard it is to make the Final Four, let alone win the title, even for a powerhouse such as Fenerbahce.

"It is really hard to get there. These past four seasons made me realize it even more. It is unbelievably hard", Guduric says about reaching the Final Four. "\[Winning it\] with Fener, since I came here, this has been the dream. That's the only thing that is on my mind. Winning the EuroLeague with Fener would be a dream come true."

The 29-year-old sat down with Euroleague.net's Igor Petrinovic at the club's Final Four media day

The power forward sat down with Geoff Gillingham at the Greens’ Final Four media day

Juancho Hernangomez, Panathinaikos: ‘Berlin brings back good memories’

He may be in his debut Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, but [Juancho Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/juancho-hernangomez/012712/) of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens is already getting ready to compete in his first Final Four.

The Greens reached the Final Four for the first time in 12 years after defeating Maccabi Playtikq Tel Aviv 3-2 in a thrilling playoff series. The scenes at OAKA afterward are something Juancho will never forget.

“All of OAKA was amazing,” Juancho tells [Euroleague.net](http://Euroleague.net)’s Geoff Gillingham. “It was one of the best experiences in my life. We got the win and it was a really happy moment.”

Next week will see the 28-year-old head to Berlin, where he starred with the Spanish national team in the knockout stages of EuroBasket 2022. Notably, Juancho netted 27 points in the championship game as Spain defeated France to become European champions.

“Berlin brings back good memories,” Juancho comments. “I \[hope\] we feel the same, getting the title. It’s going to be really hard, we’ve got to work really hard for that. We deserve to win, we’re going to fight for the win, and we are pretty confident.”

Juancho is a basketball star who is known across the globe, but his stardom went to another level after appearing in the hit movie “Hustle” alongside Adam Sandler and a number of NBA stars. The Panathinaikos forward even revealed that Sandler almost came to Game 5 against Maccabi and could be present at the Final Four in Berlin. 

“I’m still talking with Adam Sandler and he keeps in touch every couple of weeks,” Juancho says. “We’re talking, and he follows the EuroLeague. 

“He was close to coming for Game 5 \[against Maccabi\], I told him to - I think he was in London or Germany doing some movie. I will tell him he can come to the Final Four, but for sure if we win, he will be happy for me.”