By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops
Reaching the Final Four of the Basketball Champions League is an unprecedented success for Peristeri bwin, but not for Vassilis Xanthopoulos. A veteran of 87 BCL appearances is among the players of Vassilis Spanoulis carrying previous Final Four experience to Belgrade, winning the championship with AEK in 2018.
“This is a Final Four with very good teams,” the 39-year-old point guard told Eurohoops, previewing the field consisting of Semifinals opponent Lenovo Tenerife and two more teams of Spain’s Liga Endesa, UCAM Murcia and Unicaja.
“The ACB leaders, Unicaja. Tenerife has huge experience, especially this squad specifically. And Murcia, which I faced with AEK in the 2018 Final Four. Of course, that was a different team, but the current squad has players with plenty of experience as well,” added Xanthopoulos, “I think this will be a high-level Final Four.”
Rewind to the 2018 season-ending tournament of FIBA Europe’s top-tier club continental competition, OAKA was a full house.
“A packed gym would be very nice,” Xanthopoulos referred to Belgrade Arena hosting the 2024 Final Four, “I was fortunate and blessed to experience a sold-out Final Four here in Athens. I wish the same in Belgrade.”
Taking on two-time champion Tenerife on Friday, a potential win for the team coached by Spanoulis would clinch a berth in Sunday’s first-place game versus Murcia or Unicaja. Otherwise, the trip to the capital of Serbia will conclude with a battle for third place against the losing side of the meeting of ACB teams.
“I am not yet sure if I will retire”
Numerous international and domestic championships for the experienced Greek point guard, a former player of multiple teams of his home country, including Panathinaikos. “When I started my career, I did not expect so many achievements from the teams I would play. And that I would help so much,” he reiterated initial projections.
Preparing to wrap up his sixth campaign in the Champions League, he presented his expert opinion on constant development across multiple areas. “The Basketball Champions League has grown on every level, not only competitiveness but marketing as well. And I think it will continue to improve,” he predicted via Eurohoops.
“I still enjoy going to practice and playing games,” he went to a personal level at the bottom end of his playing days, “I understand being past my prime physically. But I try to remain ready to play at this level. As long as I can continue this effort, I will continue playing.”
“When I started this season, I was settled in it potentially being my final season and that I would love to finish my career with huge success. Everything is leading to that,” he told Eurohoops, “Honestly, I am not yet sure if I will retire.”
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League