Who is closest to the final four?

The regular season of the Euroleague in basketball, which lasted 38 rounds, brought a big surprise because Valencia won second place among all the greats, nothing unexpected happened in the play-in - Panathinaikos and Monaco advanced - and the best in the elite competition is yet to come.

Next up is the playoffs, four quarterfinal series played in three wins - there is no true derby in them, but it can hardly be said that there is an absolute favorite.

The title is being defended by Fenerbahçe, who were first in the standings for a long time, then allowed a series of defeats to drop them to fourth place, but they certainly have the home-field advantage in the playoffs...

OLIMPIAKOS - MONACO

For the second time in a row, and the third time in the last four years, Olympiacos finished the regular season in first place. The 26-12 record, however, does not show how much the Greek giants have fluctuated during the season, but the fact is that the team Giorgos Barcokas was right when it mattered most.

And there is no doubt that he deserves the role of favorite against Monaco, but the "princes" are a big threat - despite all the financial problems, the quality is undeniable...

- Being first before the playoffs doesn't mean much, we just have to prove ourselves now. I don't remember the most talented team becoming champions - we know the path we have to take and we know how difficult that path is - said Barcokas.

Monaco first lost to Panathinaikos in Athens in the play-offs, then defeated Barcelona at home.

"I'm proud of this group of guys and the way they compete," said the Monaco coach. Manuchar Markoishvili.

VALENCIA - FALLEN

Valencia is a sensation, without a doubt playing the most appealing basketball on the Old Continent, and in the last round they even had the luxury of calculating and “choosing” their opponent in the quarterfinals. If they had lost to Dubai, with Real winning over Red Star, Valencia would have been third and would have met Hapoel in the playoffs.

Ali, Pedro Martinez wanted a triumph over a team from the Middle East - that's what led him to face Panathinaikos.

- We want to confirm all the good things we have done this season, but we are aware that this is a completely different level of competition - said Martinez, the best coach in the Euroleague this season.

REAL MADRID - HAPOEL

Everyone quite logically gives Real a better chance - both because they have the home court advantage and because of their pedigree in European basketball. When you add to all that the fact that Hapoel cannot host in Tel Aviv, it is clear why many see the "royal club" in the final tournament.

But the Israelis have shown this season that they have a rich team that they lead. Dimitris Itudis can beat anyone, it has also been shown that he can lose to anyone, so this series is full of intrigue because there are two coaching wizards sitting on the benches - Itudis on one and Sergio Scariolo on the other side.

- Real Madrid's season can't be good if they don't make it to the Final Four and fight for the title - said the center. Eddie Tavares.

FENERBAHCE - ZALGIRIS

If Valencia is a hit, then Žalgiris is the second biggest surprise of the season. Many saw the Lithuanians outside the Top 10, but on the court it was shown that the giant from Kaunas fears no one and should never be underestimated.

Zalgiris's path to the Final Four is blocked by a former coach, the famous Šarunas Jasikevicius, who wants to conquer the Old Continent for the second time in a row with Fenerbahce.

- If we play like we have been doing lately, we will have big problems and there is no way we can meet our goals. Now is the time to show character - said the popular Šaras.

The playoffs open tonight with Fenerbahçe and Zalgiris at 7:45 p.m., Olympiacos and Monaco meet at 8 p.m., while Valencia and Panathinaikos meet at 8:45 p.m. The Real Madrid-Hapoel clash is scheduled for Wednesday (8:45 p.m.). The Final Four is in Athens from May 22-24.