Euroleague Cup lands in İstanbul

Istanbul is ready to host the exciting Final Four. Today, Euroleague Board of Managers, the finalist teams (CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid, Fenerbahçe and Olympiacos Piraeus) and, of course, the coveted Cup has landed at the Atatürk International Airport

Special guests arrived in Istanbul, a city that is in love with sports, through a specially designed Turkish Airlines aircraft, with its livery of corporate image of the Euroleague. They were met by M. İlker Aycı, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, who welcomed all of them.

Mr. İlker Aycı said: “It is a great pleasure to again witness a new Final Four, the final phase that millions of basketball fans around the world are waiting for. We are very proud to receive this Cup in Istanbul Atatürk Airport, Turkish Airlines’ home, one more time. A trophy that will recognize the efforts of these four basketball teams, who have demonstrated their commitment to sports, teamwork, responsibility and perseverance for these past months.”

Mr. Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO added: “We are very happy to be back in Istanbul after the successful 2012 Final Four experience. Basketball has seen outstanding growth in Turkey in recent years, and all fans will witness the best players of the continent playing for the title of being the Euroleague Champion” states. I would like to specially thank Turkish Airlines and Mr. Aycı for the warm welcome which we have received and for all the support they have shown, and being an integral part in bringing the Final Four back to Istanbul.”

The Final Four will take place this weekend from May 19th to the 21st. The matches will take place in the famous Sinan Erdem Arena, Turkey's largest indoor arena and one of the biggest in Europe. It will be the second time in where this 16,000-seat venue will host the Final Four.

CSKA Moscow and Olympiacos will play first on Friday at 17.30 (local time) and will be followed by the semi-final between Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe at 20.30. On Sunday, the world will know who will be crowned as the new champion of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague 2017.