By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
The three of the four members of the PIGS, conquer in the European basketball, as soon as Italy, Spain and Greece won more Euroleague titles than any other country!
Italy is by far the country with the most titles and the most champions, while five different teams won at least one the Euroleague. The last one was Virtus Bologna in 2001 but Italy is still on top. The Spanish teams won the cup eleven times, as soon as Real Madrid is by far the team with the most titles (eight), Barcelona added two and Joventut made it once. The Greek teams follow with nine cups all of them during the last 19 years! Panathinaikos celebrated the Euroleague six times and Olympiacos three.
After them, Soviet Union (1958-1993) made it eight times and Russia two more after the last two trophies of CSKA in the modern history (2006 and 2008). Also, Yugoslavia won the cup seven times, with the last one in 1992 by Partizan couple of days before the breakup of the country.
So, Real Madrid struggles for its first title after 20 years and to help Spain approach Italy. If Olympiacos will make it, Greece will reach double digit number of trophies. Also, this trophy would be the third for CSKA and Russia. Finally, this will be the first participation of Fenerbahce in a Final Four and Turkey will try to be the tenth country with a Euroleague title!
| Country | Titles | Teams |
| Italy | 13 | Varese 5, Milano 3, Virtus Bol. 2, Cantu 2, Roma 1 |
| Spain | 11 | Real Madrid 8, Barcelona 2, Joventut 1 |
| Greece | 9 | Panathinaikos 6, Olympiacos 3 |
| Soviet Union | 8 | CSKA Moscow 4, Riga 3, Dinamo Tbilisi 1 |
| Yugoslavia | 7 | Yugoplastika 3, Cibona 2, Bosna 1, Partizan 1 |
| Israel | 6 | Maccabi Tel Aviv 6 |
| Russia | 2 | CSKA Moscow 2 |
| France | 1 | Limoges 1 |
| Lithuania | 1 | Zalgiris 1 |