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The One Team Coaches brought the Final Four sessions alive

The One Team Coaches brought the Final Four sessions alive

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11 juin 20254 Minute de lecture

The One Team Coaches brought the Final Four sessions alive

Unforgettable memories were made in Abu Dhabi during the 2025 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four – especially for the Final Four volunteers and a group of athletes from Special Olympics UAE. Thanks to One Team, Euroleague Basketball’s social responsibility program, these individuals experienced the true spirit of sport, community, and connection. That spirit came to life thanks in large part to the incredible work of the One Team Coaches.

On Thursday, May 22, the Final Four weekend kicked off in a meaningful way at Mubadala Arena, where One Team Coaches Penny Giovanovits (Olympiacos Piraeus), Hélène Daumale (AS Monaco), and Artemis Panagi (Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens) led an energetic Volunteer Session. Designed as a series of fun, team-building challenges, the session brought together the Final Four volunteers in a shared experience of learning, movement, and collaboration.

The coaches, who each lead their club’s One Team project throughout the season, brought passion and creativity to the court — setting the tone for the days ahead. Their leadership helped create an immediate sense of purpose and camaraderie among the volunteers. As Hélène Daumale shared: "Volunteering as the One Team coach for my club throughout the season has already been an incredible experience — but having the honor of representing my club at the Final Four was truly beyond anything I ever dreamed of. I am deeply thankful and humbled to have been able to bring my energy and skills to contribute to the success of the Euroleague’s One Team program, all the way to Abu Dhabi."

Then on Sunday, the weekend's emotional high point unfolded in an inclusive and uplifting session that brought together athletes from Special Olympics UAE, players from the adidas NextGen EuroLeague Finals, and two basketball legends and One Team Ambassadors in Joe Arlauckas and Kyle Hines. The event centered on the core values of teamwork, respect, and inclusion, with the three One Team Coaches once again leading the way.

The session was filled with laughter, encouragement, and moments of real connection. With the coaches guiding participants through adaptive basketball activities, barriers dissolved and bonds were built. For Artemis Panagi, the experience was deeply personal: "Being invited by Euroleague’s One Team program to take part in this year’s Final Four was an incredible honor and privilege. An experience I will always cherish and be deeply grateful for. The greatest reward of all was seeing the joy and smiles on the children’s faces throughout the activities. I am truly blessed.”

These final-day sessions served as a powerful reminder of how sport can unite people of all abilities and backgrounds. Penny Giovanovits reflected on this impact beautifully, saying: "No matter where and when, the most powerful thing is to create meaningful memories for ourselves — but especially for the people who need love, attention and care, keeping alive the heart of responsibility everywhere in the world. Thank you, One Team, for spreading good energy and reminding us every day what truly matters, and how grateful we are to support a program that combines happiness, education, and the values of sport for everyone!"

The 2025 Final Four will be remembered not just for the action on the court, but for these unforgettable One Team moments — a testament to the power of inclusion, the spirit of volunteerism, and the coaches who bring those values to life every day.