Athens is moving to the rhythm of the Final Four, as from today, May 22, until Sunday, May 24, Telekom Center Athens is hosting the EuroLeague Final Four, with Olympiacos aiming to win the 4th European trophy in its history. Giorgos Bartzokas’ team faces reigning European champion Fenerbahce today at 18:00, while the Hellenic Police has activated a strict operational plan to manage thousands of fans and visitors.
This year Athens takes over from Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, hosting the EuroLeague Final Four for the second time in its history after 2007, once again at the same venue, OAKA, now renamed Telekom Center Athens. The renovated arena, with a capacity of 19,443 seats, has been transformed for the event, with the Final Four logo and the slogan “F4GLORY” dominating both inside and outside the venue.
The Final Four schedule
The first semifinal will take place today, Friday, May 22, at 18:00, with Olympiacos facing Sarunas Jasikevicius’ Fenerbahce, the title holder and 2025 European champion.
At 21:00, the Spanish “civil war” between Real Madrid, the competition’s most successful club with 11 titles, and Valencia, appearing in a Final Four for the first time, will follow.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 21:00. This year there will be no third-place game. Instead, fans will watch the Adidas Next Generation final, the EuroLeague youth competition, at 18:00.
Olympiacos chasing its 4th star
Olympiacos is participating in a Final Four for the 15th time, and for the 5th consecutive year, something it achieves for the first time in its history and that no other Greek team has managed. It is also the club’s 11th appearance in the last 17 years under the ownership of Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos, since 2009 in Berlin.
The “Reds” have won the EuroLeague three times: in 1997 in Rome, in 2012 in Istanbul and in 2013 in London, while this year they are seeking their 4th trophy and first after 13 years. The team from Piraeus has played in nine EuroLeague finals and hopes to secure its 10th final appearance against Fenerbahce.
Olympiacos finished the regular season in first place, just like last year, with a 26-12 record, while in the playoffs it eliminated Monaco 3-0, becoming the only one of the four finalists to qualify with a sweep.
The roster features Sasha Vezenkov, Evan Fournier, Tyler Dorsey, Nikola Milutinov and captain Kostas Papanikolaou.
Telekom Center Athens ready for the event
Panathinaikos’ arena, part of the Olympic Stadium complex, was handed over by the club to the EuroLeague and adapted for the needs of the Final Four. The banners celebrating Panathinaikos’ titles were removed from the roof, while those honoring Pavlos and Thanasis Giannakopoulos remained.
The media section was expanded, a press room considered one of the largest ever at a Final Four was created, and the arena’s appearance has now been fully adapted to the event.
The official gala took place yesterday at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, attended by prominent figures from European basketball, athletes, coaches, journalists and political personalities. Among those present were Panagiotis Giannakis, Dejan Bodiroga and Panagiotis Fasoulas, while the evening also featured a drone show.
Thousands of fans in Athens
The presence of Olympiacos fans is expected to be particularly strong, as approximately 10,000 tickets have been secured by “red-and-white” supporters for the semifinal. Fenerbahce will have around 4,500 fans, Valencia around 1,000 and Real Madrid approximately 550.
Panathinaikos’ elimination by Valencia 3-2 in the playoffs left Olympiacos as the only Greek representative in the competition, after two consecutive Final Fours featuring both Greek teams.
Strict security plan by the Hellenic Police
The Hellenic Police says it is fully prepared for the event, emphasizing zero tolerance for misconduct and violence. Police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou stated that security demands are particularly high due to the management of a large number of fans and visitors.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that the safe conduct of the event is a non-negotiable priority. The implementation of the measures will be strict, universal and without exceptions. There will be absolutely no tolerance for violence, delinquent behavior, incidents or attempts to violate security measures,” she said.
Attica Police Director General Lieutenant General Athanasios Kambas noted that increased police forces will be deployed at all key locations, sports facilities, fan gathering points, public transport stations and major roads throughout Attica. Technical surveillance and control systems will also be used, providing continuous operational monitoring of gathering and transit points.
How fans will travel
A central element of the plan is the complete separation of fans by team. Organized transport will take place exclusively from predetermined gathering points and along designated routes under strict police escort.
Olympiacos fans will gather at Faliro ISAP station from 13:00, with trains departing at 15:00. Fenerbahce fans will gather at Thiseio station from 12:00, with departures around 14:00.
Real Madrid and Valencia fans will gather at Panathenaic Stadium from 14:00. Buses for Real Madrid fans will depart at 16:00 and for Valencia fans at 15:45.
The Hellenic Police stresses that unauthorized movement of organized fan groups outside the designated procedures will not be allowed. Escorting, approaching or obstructing team delegations during their transfers to and from sports venues and hotels is also prohibited.
Ban on gatherings and motorcades
By decision of the Director of the Athens Police Directorate, public outdoor gatherings and motorcades are banned in central Athens from 06:00 on May 21 until 06:00 on May 25.
The ban applies to the area enclosed by Rizari, Ploutarchou, Ypsilantou, Monis Petraki, Ravine, Vladimiro Benesi, Papadiamantopoulou, Alkmanos, Ionos Dragoumi, Vasileos Alexandrou Avenue, Antinoros and Rizari streets.
Access to OAKA
Fans attending OAKA must carry the required identification documents and a valid ticket. Separate entrance flows will operate for fans, VIPs, team delegations, media representatives and people with disabilities to avoid overcrowding.
There will be three security perimeters around OAKA. Checks will be multilayered and include ticket inspections, identity verification, electronic data cross-checking, body searches and inspections of belongings, luggage and personal items.
Presentation of an original police ID card or passport is mandatory. Personal details must fully match those on the ticket, otherwise entry will be denied. After checks, fans will receive a special security wristband, while random rechecks will continue throughout the event.
A no re-entry policy will apply, meaning that once someone exits the controlled zones, they will not be allowed to re-enter. No vehicle without a EuroLeague QR Code accreditation will be allowed near OAKA’s Perimeter C.
For the final on Sunday, May 24, fan gathering points may be updated depending on the semifinal results.
Fan Zone at Zappeion
A special plan has also been prepared for the Fan Zone at Zappeion, which will operate on May 21 and 22 from 11:00 to 23:00 and on the day of the final, May 24, from 11:00 to 20:00.
Access will be managed through a reservation system, while maximum capacity has been set at 1,500 people at any given time. Real-time capacity monitoring, police presence and, if necessary, a decongestion plan toward safe directions will be in place.
Traffic measures
From May 22 to 24, gradual and temporary traffic measures will apply in areas around OAKA, Sunel Arena, where the Adidas NextGen EuroLeague games will be played, the hotels hosting the teams and major roads throughout the Athens basin.
The Hellenic Police calls on fans to arrive early at the designated gathering points and follow authorities’ instructions, as the plan is based on the complete separation of movement flows and the avoidance of overcrowding or unwanted encounters between rival fan groups.
Specifically, traffic measures include:
- bans on stopping and parking, as well as gradual traffic interruptions on roads and avenues near sports facilities,
- gradual traffic stoppages along team delegation routes, especially on Kifisias Avenue, Mesogeion Avenue, Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, P. Kanellopoulou Street, the Western Ymittos Ring Road and Attiki Odos, depending on traffic conditions,
- increased traffic police presence at central intersections to regulate traffic and assist drivers.
Detailed traffic measures and the affected roads will be announced later today in a new statement.
“We urge citizens to stay informed in advance about traffic arrangements, which will be available through a special banner on the Hellenic Police website (www.astynomia.gr), to avoid unnecessary travel in event areas and, where possible, to prefer public transportation.
Fans are also urged:
- to arrive well before the start of the games,
- to carry the necessary identification documents at all times,
- and to fully comply with the instructions of police officers and organizers.
It is once again emphasized that:
No person without a valid ticket or official accreditation will be allowed to enter or remain within the controlled zones of the venue.
No vehicle without the required EuroLeague QR Code accreditation will approach OAKA’s ‘Perimeter C.’
The contribution and cooperation of everyone are of crucial importance in ensuring that this major international sporting event takes place under conditions of complete safety, order and normality, guaranteeing the protection of athletes, fans and all citizens.”
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