The new season of the Euroleague starts tonight - for the second season in a row there are no Russian teams, the same 18 teams as last season participate, the final four is in Berlin, and the title is defended by Real Madrid.
And already at the start - the derby. Fiery, Athenian, who had an overture the previous weekend, when Olympiakos overcame Panathinaikos in the Super Cup final and won 75:51 after conceding only 11 points in the first half. The host of tomorrow's match (20.15:XNUMX p.m.) will be Panathinaikos, which marked the summer transfer window.
A coach and two-time winner of the Euroleague arrived in the green part of Athens. Ergin Ataman, and they signed in turn Matthias Lesor, Port of Vildosa, Kyle Guy, Dinos Mitoglu, Kostas Adeokunbo, Jerian Grant, Ioannis Papapetrou, Dimitris Moraitis, while the earthquakes were caused by the arrival Kostas Slukas from Olympiakos. The "red and white" part of Athens does not forgive betrayal, but the Greek basketball player does not care too much.
- I respect the period spent in Panathinaikos, we achieved a lot together. But life goes on. I want to talk on the field. Sorry if I'm arrogant, but I don't care what people say. I ignore their attacks. I care about the opinion of my family, friends and teammates - said Slukas for the Euroleague website.
Panathinaikos is years away from the top of European basketball. The last time he was in F4 was in 2012, and among the top eight in 2019.
- I want to work hard and improve my game, to be better - said Slukas.
Crvena zvezda and Asvel will open the Euroleague tonight (19). In the "red and white" team there are also two representatives of Montenegro - a basketball player Marko Simonovic and a coach Dusko Ivanovic.
After two seasons in the NBA, Simonović returned to Europe, signed for the Belgraders, and this will be the first season of his career in this competition. Before the start of the tournament, the Euroleague announced which 10 debutants should pay attention to this season, and the young Kolašinac was also on the list.
The third representative of Montenegro is Dino Radoncic, who left Zaragoza this summer and went to Bayern Munich, where he is working again with Pablo Laso, who gave him a chance in Real's first team. Bayern will play against Alba in the German derby tonight (20.30:XNUMX p.m.).
Champion of the Admiralbet ABA League, Partizan tonight (20.05) hosts Maccabi, who will be without Wade Bodwin. The people of Belgrade were left without Lesor and Dante Exum, but they kept it Kevin Panther, James Nunnally i Bunny Leday, as they arrived Fire Jaramaz, Mateusz Ponitka, PJ Dowzer and Frank Kaminski.
The most decorated and best European coach of all time Zeljko Obradovic he recently announced that another reinforcement could come to Belgrade, and before the match in Tel Aviv he says.
"We are playing against Maccabi. We know what kind of atmosphere awaits us on that field with the truly phenomenal support that the Maccabi fans give to their team, but we tried to prepare as best as possible, to play to the maximum. Let's try to play a good game and see where we are. Tiny the problems are there, I hope nothing will affect the team being complete," Obradović told the club's website.
Euroleague, 1st round
Thursday
Crvena zvezda - Aswell Lion 19.00h
Maccabi TA - Partizan 20.05:XNUMX
Barcelona - Andaolu Efes 20.30:XNUMX p.m
Bayern - Alba Berlin 20.30:XNUMX p.m
Virtus - Žalgiris 20.30:XNUMX p.m
Friday
Fenerbahce - Olipija Milano 19.45:XNUMX p.m
Panathinaikos - Olympiacos 20.15:XNUMX
Baskonia - Real Madrid 20.30:XNUMX p.m
Valencia - Monaco 20.30:XNUMX p.m
Bonus video:
