ISTANBUL — The EuroLeague playoffs tip off Wednesday when Fenerbahçe Beko welcomes Zalgiris Kaunas to Ülker Sports Arena for Game 1 of a best-of-five series that will send the winner to the Final Four in Berlin. With home-court advantage secured by finishing fourth in the regular season, Fenerbahçe Beko enters the matchup as the statistical favorite—but recent form and a stacked Lithuanian roster make this anything but a formality.

Verified Match Details

Tip-off is scheduled for 20:45 local time (17:45 UTC). The game will be broadcast live on EuroLeague TV and local rights holders. Tickets are still available through the Fenerbahçe Beko official website.

Why This Series Matters

The winner of this series will advance to the EuroLeague Final Four, scheduled for May 15–17 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin. For Fenerbahçe Beko, a deep playoff run would mark a return to the sport’s biggest stage after a two-year absence. Zalgiris, meanwhile, is chasing its first Final Four appearance since 2019 and a potential fourth EuroLeague title in franchise history.

Financially, the stakes are equally high. EuroLeague’s revenue-sharing model rewards teams that advance to the Final Four with a significantly larger payout—reportedly in the range of €3–4 million per club, according to league financial disclosures. For Fenerbahçe Beko, which has faced budget constraints in recent seasons, a deep playoff run could ease financial pressures and fund roster upgrades for next season.

Recent Form: A Tale of Two Teams

Fenerbahçe Beko finished the regular season with a 22–12 record, good for fourth place and home-court advantage in the playoffs. However, the team limped into the postseason, losing seven of its final nine games. Key injuries to starting guard Nando de Colo (ankle) and forward Dyshawn Pierre (knee) disrupted the team’s rhythm, forcing head coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius to rely heavily on younger players down the stretch.

Zalgiris, by contrast, enters the series on a high note. The Lithuanian powerhouse finished sixth in the regular season with a 20–14 record but won eight of its last ten games, including a decisive 89–75 victory over Real Madrid in its final regular-season outing. Led by veteran guard Keenan Evans (18.2 points per game in the regular season) and center Laurynas Birutis (12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds), Zalgiris boasts the league’s second-ranked offense (84.3 points per game) and a defense that has tightened significantly since the midseason coaching change that brought in Andrea Trinchieri.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Nando de Colo vs. Keenan Evans: De Colo, Fenerbahçe Beko’s primary playmaker, is listed as questionable for Game 1 with an ankle injury. If he plays, his ability to control tempo and create open shots for teammates will be critical. Evans, Zalgiris’s leading scorer, will likely draw the assignment of defending de Colo—or exploiting his absence.
• Dyshawn Pierre vs. Edgaras Ulanovas: Pierre, Fenerbahçe Beko’s most versatile forward, has been limited by a knee injury but is expected to play. Ulanovas, a 6’7” wing with a reputation for physical defense, will be tasked with containing Pierre’s ability to drive and shoot from mid-range.
• Frontcourt Battle: Zalgiris’s Birutis and Tyrique Jones will face off against Fenerbahçe Beko’s Johnathan Motley and Jan Veselý. Motley, the team’s leading rebounder (7.1 per game), will demand to limit second-chance opportunities for Zalgiris, which ranks third in the league in offensive rebounding (11.8 per game).

Tactical Keys for Fenerbahçe Beko

With de Colo’s status uncertain, Fenerbahçe Beko will need to rely on its depth. Guard Scottie Wilbekin, who averaged 14.3 points per game in the regular season, will likely assume a larger role in ball-handling and shot creation. Coach Jasikevičius may also turn to Marko Gudurić, a sharpshooter who can stretch the floor and create mismatches.

Defensively, Fenerbahçe Beko must limit Zalgiris’s transition opportunities. The Lithuanian team thrives in fast-break situations, ranking second in the league in points off turnovers (17.2 per game). Slowing the pace and forcing half-court sets could neutralize Zalgiris’s offensive strengths.

What’s Next?

The series follows a 2-2-1 format, with Fenerbahçe Beko hosting Games 1, 2, and 5 (if necessary). Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, May 1, at 20:45 local time (17:45 UTC). If the series extends to a fifth game, it will be played on Tuesday, May 5, in Istanbul.

For real-time updates, fans can follow the official EuroLeague Twitter account (@EuroLeague) or the Fenerbahçe Beko mobile app.

Key Takeaways

• Home-court advantage: Fenerbahçe Beko finished fourth in the regular season, securing home-court advantage for the series.
• Injury concerns: Nando de Colo and Dyshawn Pierre are listed as questionable for Game 1, which could impact Fenerbahçe Beko’s offensive flow.
• Zalgiris’s momentum: The Lithuanian team has won eight of its last ten games, including a statement victory over Real Madrid.
• Series format: Best-of-five, with Fenerbahçe Beko hosting Games 1, 2, and 5.
• Final Four implications: The winner advances to Berlin for the EuroLeague Final Four, scheduled for May 15–17.

This series promises high-stakes basketball, tactical chess matches, and the kind of drama that has defined the EuroLeague playoffs for decades. For Fenerbahçe Beko, it’s a chance to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. For Zalgiris, it’s an opportunity to write a modern chapter in the club’s storied history.

What’s your prediction for the series? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on Twitter.