The FIBA Basketball Champions League has already defined the four teams that will compete in the Final Four in Athens, after the Quarterfinals. Four clubs, representing three different countries and leagues, advanced to the next phase of the tournament.
The qualified teams are: AEK Betsson BC (Greece), Galatasaray (Turkey), La Laguna Tenerife (Spain) and Unicaja (Spain). This edition features one of the most prestigious playoffs in the history of the Final Four, as all participants have won major continental titles in the last decade.
La Laguna Tenerife seeks its third BCL title
La Laguna Tenerife, which defeated Bertram Derthona Basket in the Quarterfinals (93-89 in overtime and 77-64), reached its sixth semifinal in the history of the competition. The Spanish team has the opportunity to become the first to win the Basketball Champions League three times, following its titles in 2017 and 2022.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray managed to qualify for its first Final Four in five seasons of BCL participation after beating ERA Nymburk in both games (80-106 and 74-90). The Turkish team joins Banvit (2017) and Karsiyaka (2021) as the only clubs from Turkey to reach this stage.
AEK and Unicaja, with Final Four experience
AEK Betsson BC returns to the semifinals for the third time, after beating Nanterre 92 in a series that was defined in three games (76-69, 70-82 and 104-69). The Greek team already knows what it is to win this tournament, having achieved it in 2018, in addition to being runner-up in 2020.
Unicaja, reigning BCL champion, will also be present in its third consecutive Final Four. The Spanish team defeated Pallacanestro Reggiana in the Quarterfinals (105-68 and 82-72) and will be looking to become the second club in the history of the competition to win back-to-back titles, matching Hereda San Pablo Burgos (2020, 2021).
The Final Four will be played in Athens
The Final Four will be held at the SUNEL Arena in Athens, Greece, from May 9 to 11. The semifinal matchups, scheduled for Friday, May 9, will be as follows:
- La Laguna Tenerife vs. Galatasaray
- AEK Betsson BC vs. Unicaja
The winners will advance to the grand final, while the defeated teams will contest the third place game, both matches will be played on Sunday, May 11.
Athens, historic host of the BCL
This will be the third time Athens hosts the Basketball Champions League final tournament. In 2018, AEK lifted the trophy at the OAKA Arena, while Hereda San Pablo Burgos won the Final 8 tournament at the same venue in 2020. Now, the SUNEL Arena will be the venue where the champion of the 2025 season will be defined.
