Final Four 2024: What we liked and what we were “spoilt” in Berlin! | Blog – Antonis Calcavoras

Antonis Kalkavoras returned to Athens and recorded the pros and cons of the annual celebration of the highest level of European basketball, which was supposed to award Panathinaikos the seventh star and highlight international basketball opinion on Greek basketball.

This year’s meeting of the four best teams EuroLeague She made history with her – and will probably never be forgotten Hellas To return to the first step on the European podium after 11 years, and reach a double number (10) of trophies in the major club competition (seven titles) Panathinaikos And three s Olympic).

The Greens’ performance was the most convincing ever in “Uber ArenaThey dominated in both matches and played effectively with two different styles of basketball (57 points). Fenerbahce He scored 95 points against TRUE), overthrew the European champion and maintained the absolute (7/7) in her finals EuroLeague.

However, his attendance was also successful Olympiacowhich had a smaller budget than the four finalists and a lower offensive quality than last year’s roster, managed to reach second place for the third year in a row. Final 4 And “paid” the price for a very bad first half in the semi-final with “The Queen”, returning to its base with third place in Europe.

Over the course of four full days, basketball fans everywhere in the “Old Continent” gave a special color to the German capital, as the Greek element relied on itself and achieved a strong presence in the central parts of the city, such as Brandenburg Gatethe “Alexanderplatz“And of course.”OberplatzWhere the stadium is located.

With the European Champions and the remaining three teams in the Final Four returning home and preparing for their next competitive commitments in the qualifiers, it is time for a mini report of the event, with the events recorded by a 5-member team. magazine.

What we liked

• The amazing basketball he plays Panathinaikos Along with the return of Greek basketball to its peak Europe. The path of “clover” this year from the beginning of planning to the peak of the European season in Berlin It is one of the most important sports stories that will be remembered for years!

• Its entrance Kostas Sloukas In the closed Greek club (Papaloukas, Spanoles And Diamantides) with great individual distinction for the best player in Final 4! The 34-year-old Thessaloniki goalkeeper is the only citizen to have obtained 12 qualifications Final 4 (And 10 official matches), while the four titles he won (with three different teams) put him in the same fate Francis Albertiwho has already lifted five titles as a player, but in the last one Berlin (2009), did not play at all (was in both games outside the 12-team squad).

• The stadium area surrounding “Oberplatz“With the cafes, restaurants, multi-purpose halls, the artistic program of the organizers and in general the atmosphere in and around it”Uber Arena“.Because I was in all three The last four held in the German capital (2009, 2016 and 2024), we are talking about the stadium it looked like when it was built (2008). The spaceship that landed on Earth, and today, 16 years later, is so well preserved that it looks completely new and state-of-the-art.

• l Berlin Like the city! Except now it’s magic to him Panathinaikos And Greek basketball by extension, it is a beautiful, green and absolutely clean modern city, with its own history but above all with many options for the permanent resident and visitor. Compared to 2009, it has developed rapidly and has become very expensive, but it covers all tastes while the river outburst It gives her extra natural beauty. Access is easy (about 2.5 hours flight from Athens), while its newly impressive airport is expected to develop into its hub soon Europe.

• Its existence Giannis Antetokounmpo On the court (he watched all 4 games of the Final 4) and his active participation as a basketball fan at the games. the “Strange Greek“He sat in the court seats next to him Scottie PippenHe enjoyed the matches with all his heart, and praised all the wonderful efforts made by his Greek teammates National team And of course, he constantly encouraged his brother Kostas. He made a very positive impression on me because he came early on the day of the final.”Uber Arena“And watch his entire match Olympiaco With the fenerbahce, Expressing his satisfaction with the “Red and White” victory. Naturally, there was no reason for him to be on the ground immediately after the cup was handed over to him Panathenaiko And the celebrations of his brother and the Greek players.

• Very good mood for the majority of fans who traveled there Germany To watch the matches. The climate of Paris between Panathinaikos And OlympiacosPeaceful and harmonious coexistence in a comfortable atmosphere, both inAlexanderplatz“And also on the field and respecting everyone’s collective preference. This was not only true for the Greeks, but of course also for the Turks and the picnickers in Madrid. Overall a nice European atmosphere with fans of all the teams taking pictures and talking to each other.”

• For young basketball fans, it is the final stage of its creation adidas next generation championshipIt was very competitive with five teams at a very high level (TRUE, Insip, Mega, Elite overtime And Barcelona). Real Madrid and the French stole the show with a thrilling final decided in extra time, while the debut of an American team captivated the crowd. Germany More Boy Scouts of America than ever before. Hold on to the following names because they will matter to us very soon at the men’s level as well: The Spaniard Hugo Gonzalez (best player) The Russian playmaker is two meters tall, Igor Demin (2.04) of TRUE (mo.15.3p., 8.7p. & 3.3kg.), French combo guard, Nolan Traoré (He had 45p, 6p, 9a. v Barcelona) l InsipHer Lithuanian bodyguard Barcelona, Kasparas Giaccionis (1st passer with mo.o. 19.0p. & 12.7as.) and the 13-year-old position (2.08) for the Catalans from Burkina Faso, Muhammad Daboun (mo.11.3p. & 5.3r.).

What “spoilt” us

• A misunderstanding between the organizers and the police upon the arrival of his mission Panathenaiko From the airport to the hotel! The absence of a strong police force and the failure of the existing police to remove the 25-30 Turks who remained outside the country Hiltonwith the clear intention of disapproving Atamannarrowly missed causing conflict between players and fans and creating a diplomatic episode.

• Having been present in 2009 and remembering well the terrible security measures and the imposing presence of police forces outside and inside the stadium before, during and after the civil semi-final match between the “eternal rival”, I was negatively surprised by their absence from the tournament. The main entrance for fans a few hours before the start of the match Panathinaikos-Fenerbahce. 20-25 Turks from BerlinTo storm the stadium with thugs and without tickets and cause accidents inside.”Uber ArenaFortunately, after the initial confrontation with stadium security and unsuspecting trespassers and some of them rushing inside, the second police response was decisive, leading to everyone being arrested. However, for this to happen, they had to close the doors and cut off people for at least an hour and a half.

• In addition, there were no timely consultations with the organisers, with the result that the teams went out to warm up in almost empty stands and the start of the first semi-final was delayed by approximately 25 minutes, without any official notice. Except its retro dated!

• The organizers’ extremely unfortunate decision to place the seats for journalists accredited for the written press in the “pigeon” of the stadium, as if this was not enough to add additional bars in front of the journalists’ seats, which made it even more difficult to watch the match. Big “mistake” on the part EuroLeagueWhich showed a lack of respect and appreciation in the work of people who broadcast everything that is done and play an important role in shaping an image Final 4 For the public!

• The second “funny” thing regarding the treatment of press representatives (I won’t talk about the food) is that their chairs were placed between the doors where the fans were sitting. Panathenaiko So is he OlympiacoSo, to get to the mixed area, the working room and the press conference, they had to pass through the world and go down three floors. Either by elevator or by escalator! That is, they had to lose at least five minutes on the landing. All this to provide more seats for tickets.