Spanish and Turkish Final Four fans soak up atmosphere in Athens

Valencia fans and brothers Nico and Pao.

Hours earlier extremity disconnected astatine the EuroLeague Final Four successful Athens connected Friday, visiting fans from Fenerbahce, Real Madrid and Valencia were soaking up the ambiance crossed the superior arsenic anticipation built for European basketball’s showcase weekend.

The tournament opens with location broadside Olympiakos – appearing successful its 4th consecutive Final Four – facing defending champion Fenerbahce. Later Friday, surprise bundle Valencia takes connected Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid successful an all-Spanish semifinal.

Despite forecasts of unsettled weather, supporters from Turkey and Spain traveled to Athens successful ample numbers for the event, which takes spot astatine the Telekom Center successful Maroussi.

At the instrumentality zone extracurricular the Zappeion Mansion, fans tested their shooting skills astatine hoops hoops, took portion successful quizzes and games, browsed team merchandise and gathered astir DJ sets up of the evening’s action.

In the adjacent National Garden, brothers Nico and Pao, some draped successful Valencia scarves and nine colors, said they had organized their trip conscionable a week earlier to support their team successful its first-ever Final Four appearance.

“History is being made today,” said 23-year-old Nikos. “This is Valencia’s archetypal Final Four. We’ve followed the team passim the play and we had to beryllium here.”

The brothers said Greek hoops fans had warmly welcomed them passim the city.

“Some Panathinaikos fans were adjacent asking us to bushed Olympiakos if we look them,” Nikos said. “The ambiance present is incredible.”

Their emotion for the nine came from their father, a Valencia supporter for much than 4 decades.

“He’s waited his whole beingness for this moment,” said 18-year-old Pao. “I think we tin win tonight. I try to stay affirmative earlier each game.”

Regardless of the result, the household plans to spend the last time of their trip exploring Athens and visiting museums.

Fenerbahce supporters.

Nearby, 31-year-old Hakan, a Fenerbahce supporter who traveled from Turkey, said helium booked his Final Four tickets backmost successful March due to the fact that helium was assured his team would qualify.

“We had a very strong squad this season,” helium said. “I truly judge we tin win the trophy.”

Hakan, visiting Greece for the third time, praised the reception from section fans. “The ambiance is fantastic. People present person treated us very well,” helium said. “Athens is such a lively city.”

Real Madrid supporter Marco.

Real Madrid supporter Marco, attending his seventh Final Four, carried what helium described arsenic two treasured possessions: a Real Madrid emblem and an armband erstwhile fixed to him by Raul Gonzalez, a fable of the club’s soccer team.

“Greece has such a heavy hoops civilization – you tin consciousness it everywhere,” helium said. “Greek fans are ever among the champion successful Europe.”

While helium described Valencia arsenic “dangerous and unpredictable,” Marco said helium expected Real Madrid to scope Sunday’s final, predicting a 91-85 victory.