The 2012 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four is set to take place in Istanbul, so the timing is perfect to talk to European basketball legend Sasha Djordjevic, who is at the event working for Eurosport. In the only previous Euroleague Final Four played in Istanbul to date, back in 1992, Partizan won its only Euroleague title in unbelievable fashion. Joventut led 68-70 on Tomas Jofresa's acrobatic basket with seconds to go but Djordjevic raced downcourt, stopped before the three-point line and nailed the game-winning shot -- one of the most remembered moments in European basketball history. Djordjevic remained a winner throughout his career and now offers his basketball knowledge to Eurosport viewers. "It is great to be here. It is always a huge thing to see all these champions and so many talented players. I think this is one of the best Final Fours in the last few seasons, with four very good teams," he said. "There were no favourites coming into the Final Four but I would say Panathinaikos has the biggest chance to win now. You never know what can happen in one game. I thought Montepaschi Siena would win because I saw them play really well all season, but Panathinaikos has the best coach of all-time, Zeljko Obradovic." The evolution of the Final Four has been impressive, Djordjevic added before the game. "The Final Four has changed a lot since I first played it. The game has evolved and is more athletic. It is always basketball, every era has its champions and rules," he said. "This Final Four won't have anything to do with the same event in 2020 -- I am sure it will get even better by then." What would a winner like Djordjevic give to play in a game like this? "I would give everything to be on the court in a game like this," he said.

The legendary Fragiskos Alvertis, a very familiar face in the Final Four, lent a hand at last night's Efes Pilsener Euroleague Awards Ceremony in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague. It is difficult to mention Panathinaikos without thinking about Alvertis, an icon for all Greens fans and one of the winningest players in European basketball history. Few people are linked with a club the way Alvertis is with Panathinaikos. In his 19 seasons with Panathinaikos, Alvertis helped the Greens become a European basketball power. A mismatch for any defender due to his size, versatility and shooting range, Alvertis won Euroleague titles with Panathinaikos in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2007 and -- playing just 4 minutes that season -- 2009. Obviously, the Greens retired his jersey but Alvertis remains active in the Panathinaikos organization, helping players, offering his valuable experience, charisma and leadership. Alvertis has the chance to see his team win its sixth Euroleague title this afternoon and expects a good game. "This Final Four is another great organization. Everything works perfect and there is a fabulous atmosphere. We hope we will see a nice final," he said. "Things have changed a lot since my first Final Four but it gets better and better, no question about it. That is the way it should be -- to have something better every year." Asked about how strange it will be for him not to be able to help his team on the court, Alvertis laughed, adding, "It's not easy, of course. What I can do about it? I am still on the team and feel the same things, not as a player, but as a member of Panathinaikos."

Two voices with plenty of authority to analyze the Turkish Airlines Euroleague title game were at the EFES Pilsener Awards Ceremony last night. Juan Carlos Navarro of Regal FC Barcelona and Fernando San Emeterio of Caja Laboral were named to the All-Euroleague First Team this season, in which they both played against Panathinaikos and Maccabi Electra. As such, Navarro and San Emeterio know everything possible about both teams, which are set to face each other in the Euroleague final at 16:30 CET. Navarro was chosen to the All-Euroleague First Team for the fifth team in six years while San Emeterio received the honor for the first time. "I didn't know it was my fifth All-Euroleague First Team nomination until I got here. It is an honor to have more first-team appearances than anyone else. It rewards the hard work you do all season. But I would exchange the award for the chance to play the final," Navarro said. "It is exciting to be in the All-Euroleague First Team, I am really happy. I regret not being in the Final Four, but like I said, I am happy anyway," San Emeterio confirmed.



Both agree about one thing - it is very tough to make a prediction about the final. "I haven't been able to tell anyone who will win the game. Both teams deserve to be there with their respective playing styles - Maccabi plays up-tempo and Panathinaikos is more under control. It will go down to who is more focused in the final minutes," Navarro said. "It is very tough to say who will win a game like this. Both teams have their skills. Maccabi plays with a more direct, American style while Panathinaikos is, in a way, more 'European' style. Anything can happen in one game," San Emeterio added. All-Euroleague Second Team selection Dusko Savanovic also expressed his thoughts about the game. He got all of his predictions right in his Euroleague.net blog this season - Serbia over Spain at the World Champs, Power Electronics Valencia over Fenerbahce Ulker - and tried his luck again. "I cannot be objective. I want Panathinaikos to win because of Zeljko Obradovic and Milenko Tepic. Maccabi plays run-and-gun, really wild basketball, but Panathinaikos has experience and a lot of their players won the title. I believe Panathinaikos will win."

The Nike International Junior Tournament features some of the greatest future stars in Europe, but among the teams there's also a Euroleague legend. Zalgiris Kaunas will compete for the title against KK Zagreb this morning and recently added former Euroleague champion Saulius Stombergas to its coaching staff. The club brought him to Barcelona as its junior team's assistant coach. Stombergas won the Euroleague title with Zalgiris against Kinder Bologna in 1999. He shared some of his thoughts about the past and future with us. "Coaching is a new experience for me. I just started doing this a few months ago and am still learning every day," he told Euroleague.net. "I'm trying to bring some of my experience as a player to the young players and help them improve their game," he added. Stombergas now has the chance to see the Final Four from a different angle. "It's great to be back at the Final Four. It is my first NIJT and I'm really enjoying it so far. Of course the good results we had so far help, but it is great to see all these young prospects and almost the entire world of basketball - scouts, agents and coaches – present at the games to follow them," he said. Of course, he can't forget about the 1999 title. "I have great memories from it. It was very special and coming back to a Final Four event brought back some memories. I watched the semifinals yesterday and at some pointed felt like putting on my basketball gear to going back on the court to play. The atmosphere was very special," Stombergas added. He gave us his prediction for the Euroleague final. "I think both finalists are very good teams. They are different from each other and that will make the game more interesting. If I have to choose, I would go with Panathinaikos as my favorites. I stay loyal to the green color!"