The wait is finally over and the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague finally tipped off its 2023-24 regular season to the delight of tens of thousands of fans, who packed arenas across the continent.
Fans pack arenas as the EuroLeague returns
Makale
4 Dk okuma
The stands were full for each of the nine Round 1 games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague on Thursday and Friday nights. Fans across the continent answered the call: from Stark Arena to Palau Blaugrana and PalaDozza, from Buesa Arena and La Fonteta to OAKA Altion and Menora Mivtachim Arena, the stands were packed and atmospheres were electric, making for some memorable moments in the very first week of the new season.
Things got going at Stark Arena in Belgrade, which was once again full to the brim. However, this time it was for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, which was the home team at this venue for the first time in almost two years and its fans certainly set the tone in style.
Crvena Zvezda found a way to make its home-opener even more of an occasion. Ahead of tipoff against the visiting LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, the fans in the arena – and those watching at home – were treated to a special pre-game show.
The center of it all was an interactive player introduction that featured special effects and full-court mapping projection. With the fans playing along and having a role of their own with both their voices and mobile devices, those in attendance at Stark Arena helped make the first game of the new season a true celebration of basketball.
Zvezda’s passionate fans helped their team get off to a winning start, just like the fans in Tel Aviv helped Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv protect its home floor against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Maccabi, which sold out all of its season tickets back in July, had a packed house for its season opener, creating an atmosphere that helped Maccabi win the 24th game of its last 26 EuroLeague regular-season home fixtures.
The largest attendance in Round 1 came at Stark Arena, but not far behind was the Greek derby at OAKA Altion, where the Greens’ fans came out in huge numbers to witness their new-look side take on archrival Olympiacos Piraeus.
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul’s fans did not disappoint for their team’s season opener either, which was also a special occasion as recently retired former champion Luigi Datome returned to Istanbul with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, where he is now part of the staff. Fenerbahce’s fans got a chance to give Datome one final warm welcome on Friday. He finished his professional career last season with Milan but spent five memorable seasons with Fenerbahce, during which he helped the team win the 2017 EuroLeague crown and reach three more Final Fours.
Also on Friday, Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz’s faithful filled out Buesa Arena for the arrival of Spanish League rival and reigning EuroLeague champion, Real Madrid. So did Valencia's fans at La Fonteta as Mike James and AS Monaco came to town.
Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona, BMW Park in Munich and PalaDozza in Bologna may not be as big of arenas, but there were great atmospheres for the home games of FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich and Virtus Segafredo Bologna.