The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game is a collision between FC Barcelona's league-best defense and Anadolu Efes Istanbul's potent offense. The two teams battling for the EuroLeague crown on Sunday in Cologne, Germany, play – and win – with much different styles of basketball.

When the Efes offense is rolling, it has proven to be unstoppable. Coach Ergin Ataman's men have scored at least 80 points 23 times this season – including most recently on Friday night in the semifinal against CSKA Moscow.

Efes, which has averaged the second-most points, 84.2 per game, this season, is undefeated in those games. Conversely, Efes is 3-14 when it has failed to reach the 80-point mark.

The last time Efes won without scoring 80 was in Round 25 in mid-February when it bested Olympiacos Piraeus 76-53 in Round 25. What’s more, Efes is 1-8 this season what it has been held below 80 outside of Istanbul.

Barcelona, on the other hand, has the best defense in the competition. It has allowed just 73.4 points per game and held opponents to only 49.2% two-point and 34.4% three-point shooting – all league-low marks this season in the EuroLeague.

Likewise, Barcelona has held opponents to less than 80 points in 75 percent of its games so far. Those 30 games represent the most of any team in the competition. In those games, Barcelona has 25 wins and its winning percentage of 83.3% is third-best in the league.

However, in the 10 games in which Barcelona's opponents have reached the 80-point mark, Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius's men have lost seven times, including twice against Efes.

It is safe to say that percentages are with Barcelona in the championship game if it keeps Efes under 80 points, and they flip the other way if Efes scores 80 or more.

The championship game is a collision between FC Barcelona's league-best defense and Anadolu Efes Istanbul's potent offense.

Inside the numbers: The meaning of 80 points

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Here are some facts about first-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions Anadolu Efes Istanbul!

Facts of the Champions: Anadolu Efes Istanbul

...Anadolu Efes Istanbul has won its first EuroLeague championship! It is the second Turkish team to win the competition – Fenerbahce Istanbul lifted the trophy in 2017.

...head coach Ergin Ataman and all Efes players are new EuroLeague champions, too! It is the first time that a team, a coach and all of its players are new EuroLeague champions since Zalgiris Kaunas in 1999!

...Coach Ataman has won his fourth different continental title! He won the Saporta Cup with Montepaschi Siena in 2002, the EuroChallenge with Besiktas Istanbul in 2012, and the 7DAYS EuroCup with Galatasaray Istanbul in 2015. Only two coaches had previously won four different European competitions: Dusan Ivkovic (EuroLeague, EuroCup, Saporta, Korac) and Aito Garcia Reneses (EuroCup, Saporta, Korac, EuroChallenge).

...Coach Ataman became the third coach to win European competitions with four different teams! He won titles with Siena, Besiktas and Galatasaray. Zeljko Obradovic has won European titles with six different teams: Partizan Belgrade, Joventut Badalona, Benetton Treviso, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos Athens, and Fenerbahce. Ivkovic (Partizan, AEK Athens, Olympiacos Piraeus, Dynamo Moscow) and Bozidar Maljkovic (Split, Limoges, Panathinaikos, Unicaja Malaga) have also won with four teams apiece.

...Coach Ataman is the third coach to win the EuroLeague and EuroCup titles? Only Ivkovic (Olympiacos 1997, 2012; Dynamo Moscow 2006) and David Blatt (Maccabi 2014, Darussafaka 2018) did it before him.

...Rodrigue Beaubois has become the first French player to win the EuroLeague and NBA titles! He won the NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011!

...Tibor Pleiss has become the first German player to win the EuroLeague in nearly two decades? Only three German players had won the EuroLeague title before Pleiss - Christian Welp with Olympiacos in 1997, Michael Koch with Panathinaikos in 2000 and Patrick Femerling in 2003.

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As one of the most important basketball games in the world every season, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game always has a lot of storylines buzzing around it, and the 2021 edition on Sunday night is no exception.

A title game abuzz with storylines

As one of the most important basketball games in the world every season, the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game always has a lot of storylines buzzing around it, and the 2021 edition on Sunday night is no exception.

Whether FC Barcelona or Anadolu Efes Istanbul lifts the trophy at LANXESS Arena, the champion will have a list of interesting facts and potential milestones.

In the category of remarkable facts, there is the unprecedented dominance of two players during 11 games between these two teams over the last three seasons, including a five-game playoff to reach the 2019 Final Four.

Efes has won seven of those 11 games, and in each of those seven victories, either Shane Larkin or Vasilije Micic played well enough to win the MVP honor for having had the best performance index rating of all EuroLeague players in either the same week or the same round.

Larkin has been particularly brilliant against Barcelona, earning three such weekly MVP honors in the 2018-19 season. One of them, in Round 25 of the regular season, assured Efes home-court advantage over Barca in their playoff series. He then was MVP in the last two playoff games that Efes won to advance.

Micic claimed his first MVP honor vs. Barca in Game 1 of that 2019 playoff series and another in the last game they played this season, in Round 24, when Efes won in Barcelona. 

Turning to the head coaches, Ergin Ataman of Efes can become the first Turkish-born coach to win the EuroLeague. Bogdan Tanjevic lifted the trophy with Bosna Sarajevo in 1979 and gained Turkish citizenship later on his career, but was born in Montenegro. One of Tanjevic's players, when Bosna won in 1979, was Stevislav Pesic, who went on to lift the EuroLeague title as Barcelona's head coach in 2003.

To date, Pesic is one of just three people to win the EuroLeague as both a player and coach. The others are Lolo Sainz (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968 Real Madrid; 1978, 1980 Real Madrid) and Armenak Alachachan (1961, 1963 CSKA Moscow; 1969 CSKA Moscow). On Sunday, Barcelona head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, who won four EuroLeague titles as a player – including his first with Pesic in 2003 – can become the next man on that list.

Barcelona swingman and semifinals hero Cory Higgins can become just the fourth player to win consecutive EuroLeague titles with different teams, following Jasikevicius (Barcelona 2003, Maccabi 2004), Dejan Bodiroga (Panathinaikos 2002, Barcelona 2003) and Ramunas Siskauskas (Panathinaikos 2007, CSKA 2008).

His teammate Nick Calathes is looking to become a repeat EuroLeague champion with one of the longest gaps between titles. Calathes has waited a full decade to get another shot at the EuroLeague title he won with Panathinaikos in 2011. Just three players in history have waited that long – or longer –to win again: Dino Meneghin (Varese 1976, Milan 1987), Nikita Kurbanov (CSKA 2006, 2016) and David Blu (Maccabi 2004, 2014).

If Efes were to win tonight, however, not only the club and Coach Ataman, but every single player would become a first-time champion. The last time that happened was in 1999 when Zalgiris Kaunas, coached Jonas Kazlauskas and all of the players lifted the trophy together for the first time.

Coach Ataman has a chance to win his fourth different European competition trophy, which only two other coaches have managed to do before. Ataman has already won the Saporta Cup with Montepaschi Siena in 2002, the FIBA EuroChallenge with Besiktas Istanbul in 2012, and the 7DAYS EuroCup with Galatasaray Istanbul in 2015. Only Dusan Ivkovic (EuroLeague, EuroCup, Saporta, Korac) and Aito Garcia Reneses (EuroCup, Saporta, Korac, EuroChallenge) have four different European competition trophies now.

Barcelona big man Pau Gasol is back in the Final Four for the first time in 21 years. At age 40, he is the oldest player to participate in a Final Four, breaking the record set by Derrick Sharp, which is old team, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, joked about on Twitter, asking Sharp to come out of retirement. Gasol can also become just the second player in history to win the EuroLeague, NBA, EuroBasket and World Cup titles. Only Toni Kukoc managed to win them all, with Chicago, Jugoplastika Split and the former Yugoslavia national team, respectively. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🤔Did you know? <br>Derrick Sharp is no longer the oldest player to appear in the <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> Final Four. Last night <a href="https://twitter.com/paugasol?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@paugasol</a> broke the record at 40 years, ten months, and 22 days of age. How about a comeback <a href="https://twitter.com/DerrickSharp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DerrickSharp</a>? <a href="https://t.co/e4HcMULtGC">pic.twitter.com/e4HcMULtGC</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabitlvBC/status/1398537310719905793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Gasol can also become the first Spanish player to win the NBA and EuroLeague titles. If Efes wins, however, Rodrigue Beaubois would get that honor, being the first Frenchmen to lift the NBA and EuroLeague trophies.

A lot can happen on Sunday and history will be rewritten. Don't miss the 2021 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game!

Anadolu Efes Istanbul is the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion for the first time! Efes outlasted FC Barcelona 81-86 on Sunday night in the championship game of the 2021 Final Four at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. 

Efes wins its first EuroLeague crown

Anadolu Efes Istanbul outlasted FC Barcelona 81-86 on Sunday night in the championship game of the 2021 Final Four at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. The victory made all the players on the team champions for the first time as well as Ergin Ataman, who became the first Turkish-born head coach to lift the trophy. Barcelona came back from an 11-point deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter and was within 1 with 3:25 remaining, but Vasilije Micic scored 7 points in the final 3 minutes to make sure Efes went home with the trophy. Micic finished with 25 points and 5 assists, while his backcourt mate Shane Larkin added 21 points. Sertac Sanli chipped in with 12 for the winners. Cory Higgins led Barcelona with 23 points and Kyle Kuric netted 18. Brandon Davies tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds and Nikola Mirotic added 11 and 9 for Barcelona, which came up short in its bid to win its third continental crown and first since 2010.



Krunoslav Simon, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Vasilije Micic, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

A basket-plus-foul from Leandro Bolmaro in transition gave Barcelona a double-digit advantage. Adrien Moerman's tip started the Efes revival. Bolmaro committed an unsportsmanlike foul on Larkin after a steal and the resulting free throws and a Tibor Pleiss triple – Efes's first of the game – made it 25-22, prompting a Barcelona timeout. Simon capped a 0-9 run with a bank shot. Alex Abrines and Higgins gave Barcelona some breathing room with free throws only to see Larkin attack and get to the free-throw line, from where he made 6 shots in a 0-12 run that gave Efes a 29-36 lead. Bolmaro ended the Barcelona drought and Kuric drilled a three from the corner and made a pair of free throws. Rodrigue Beaubois split free throws with 1 second left in the second quarter to send the teams to the locker rooms at halftime with the score 36-39.

Larkin earned his moment of glory the hard way

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Vasilije Micic completed a historic season on Sunday by lifting Anadolu Efes Istanbul to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship for the first time in club history. A few minutes later, Micic had another trophy for his case after being chosen Final Four MVP.

Micic is chosen Final Four MVP

Vasilije Micic completed a historic season on Sunday by lifting Anadolu Efes Istanbul to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship for the first time in club history. A few minutes later, Micic had another trophy for his case after being chosen Final Four MVP. The 27-year-old guard also received a 1 million travel miles award from Turkish Airlines' passenger loyalty program Miles&Smiles.

Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. Ilker Ayci said, "I would want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Anadolu Efes for the great times it provided us during our organization, as well as the championship cup they delivered to our nation. I congratulate Vasilije Micic who became the Most Valuable Player of the Final Four. We will continue to promote the Turkish Airlines brand, which has long been associated with important organizations and clubs in a variety of sports." 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Voice of an ANGEL!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F4GLORY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F4GLORY</a> <a href="https://t.co/PyEG7glVfE">pic.twitter.com/PyEG7glVfE</a></p>&mdash; Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague/status/1399109187687182338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Micic was a natural choice as not only did he lead Efes in scoring in both games at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, but his averages of 25.0 points, 5.5 assists and a PIR of 27.0 were the most at this season’s Final Four, too. He also became the fifth player in competition history to capture both the EuroLeague MVP and Final Four MVP trophies in the same season. He joins Dimitris Diamantidis (Panathinaikos Athens, 2011), Vassilis Spanoulis (Olympiacos Piraeus, 2013), Nando De Colo (CSKA Moscow, 2016) and Luka Doncic (2018, Real Madrid) in that distinguished group.

Most of the players on whatever team wins the EuroLeague title on Sunday will be first-time champions, and also the first ones who won't have plenty of family and friends at courtside to celebrate with.

Who the finalists will reach out to if they win

n addition to this being the first Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four without fans in the arena, many of the players on the four teams could not be accompanied to Cologna, Germany, by family or friends, which means that some of the winners of the title on Sunday will be waiting to share their accomplishment with loved ones, as well as fans, at long distance.

As such, many players have already thought about whom they would contact first should they get a chance to celebrate by lifting the EuroLeague trophy on Sunday.

"My father had a hard time this season watching the games from home."

"The first two people I will call are surely my parents, because in the end, I have a lot of people cheering me up, supporting me and following me, but they are the ones that have a harder time not being here, especially my father," FC Barcelona captain Pierre Oriola. "My father had a hard time this season watching the games from home, as he couldn't come to the arena. He is one of the fans who is always there, in all games, and I am sure I will call them two first if we make it to the final and win it."

For Oriola as for many other finalists – among players, all of them except for his Barcelona teammates Cory Higgins and Nick Calathes – victory on Sunday will mean their first EuroLeague titles and the culmination of long journeys in basketball. For Oriola and his father, that journey started as fans of Barcelona when he was young.

"I suppose it would be even more special because I play for the team that we followed so much during all these years," Oriola continued. "I am sure he is very proud and, like I said, he is my number one fan. He was able to follow me anywhere, driving his car to any other city in Spain to see me play and spent time with me, even if it was as little as 10 minutes."

For this season's MVP, Vasilije Micic of Efes, his first hugs will be in person, and not only because his girlfriend was able to make the trip to Cologne.

"I would hug her first, if we would happen to win the title," Micic said. "But I also stress my relationship with Krunoslav Simon has grown into a huge friendship, and I would hug him first from pure love. We have similar characters, and he is a very good person. If my girlfriend was not here, it would be him."

"My wife will be the first person I reach out to."

Upon hearing of Micic's plans, Simon laughed and agreed he would have to reciprocate the gesture if they were to win on Sunday.

"I would certainly give him a hug back," he joked. "This is the third season we are together. We are excellent friends on and off the court. My wife is here, too, but I would give Micic the first hug on the court if we would manage to win it. Then I would go to hug my wife.

"My family has been behind me my whole career, but my wife is the first I would share the moment with and hug her. She has gone through and dealt with most of it with me. She has suffered the most through all the time I have been away. She is the first one to share the moment with."

For Barcelona center Brandon Davies, his wife also tops the list of the people with whom he would share such a culminating experience, should it happen on Sunday.

"My wife will be the first person I reach out to. She is my biggest fan. She is obviously disappointed she couldn't be here, and so am I," Davies said. "Then I would call my mom, and some of my best friends."

Like Micic and Simon, Davies stressed that he would also relish a title to celebrate the bonds he has built among his Barcelona teammates.

"You build your relationship in your locker room and with the teammates around you. To share an accomplishment with them throughout the season is a memory of a lifetime," he said. "You can't get enough of those moments, and life is short, so you've got to make the most of your opportunities." 

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During the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the best team in the competition was FC Barcelona. And the best player for that best team was Nikola Mirotic, who led the league in performance index rating with an average of 21.96 after tallying 16.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

The playoffs, though, were an entirely different matter for the forward, who struggled to make any kind of meaningful impact as his team was pushed to the limit by Zenit St Petersburg. Over the course of the five-game series, Mirotic could average only 8.6 points after making just 28.6% of his two-point attempts. He also struggled to dominate physically, grabbing an average of 3.6 rebounds including only two off the offensive glass in the whole five games.

So, when Barca touched down in Cologne for its first Final Four appearance in seven years, there was justified concern that the team’s key player was struggling to produce his best form. But as Friday’s semifinal against AX Armani Exchange Milan got underway, those fears were very quickly dispelled.

The first time Mirotic touched the ball came after 85 seconds when he took a three-point shot…and made it. If his confidence had been fragile following his struggles in the playoffs, that early strike was just the medicine required and it was quickly followed up by a floater. Then he delivered on the defensive end, blocking a shot from Zach LeDay, and after making a long jumper, he added free throws to finish the first quarter with 9 points and a PIR of 13.

Mirotic had a break during the second quarter before returning to action by grabbing and converting an offensive rebound, something he repeated early in the fourth quarter to cap an 8-0 run which gave Barca the lead, 72-71, and strengthened their belief that victory could be seized. He stayed in the game the remainder of the way, using his physicality to draw fouls and take advantage from the foul line and he finished with more playing time – 27:58 – than any other Barca player.

Mirotic concluded the game with team-highs in points (21) and rebounds (6) with 4 of those boards coming at the offensive end. He also tallied 1 steal, 1 blocked shot and a game-high 8 drawn fouls, adding up to a PIR of 28 – also the best in the game.

With Nick Calathes looking like a major injury doubt for Sunday’s championship game after suffering an ankle injury in the latter stages of the semifinal, his leadership will become more important than ever. Friday’s performance showed he is more than ready to deliver. Efes beware: Nikola Mirotic is back.

Mirotic bounced back for Barca

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The focus at the 2021 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four switched on Saturday afternoon.

Championship Game press conference

The focus at the 2021 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four switched on Saturday afternoon. After reflecting of Friday's two semifinals, the attention moved to Sunday's championship game with Coach Sarunas Jasikevicius and center Pau Gasol of FC Barcelona and Coach Ergin Ataman and All-EuroLeague guard Shane Larkin of Anadolu Efes Istanbul taking the stage at Lanxess Arena for a press conference. Here is what they had to say: 

**Sarunas Jasikevicius, FC Barcelona head coach**

"Congratulations to both teams on making the finals. This is where we wanted to be in the beginning of the season so we feel very fortunate. We had a tough one yesterday, we have a chance to rest a little bit. Now we will start a preparation process for Efes, so we are looking forward to it."

"As I said yesterday, we have to improve a lot on defense. In the semifinal, we only defended well in one quarter, the last one when we held Milan at 11 points. I think Efes is even better, especially on offense. We have to be more physical and more focused. We have to make them uncomfortable, follow the game plan more and execute."

"I think the stakes are even higher. It is one level up. The opponent is better. It is probably the best two teams in the EuroLeague. The execution, your physicality, your mental preparation has to be higher. This is the highest it gets in European basketball. So you really need the right mentality and concentration. Execute, and be brave, go for it."

"Nick Calathes had some tests, he has nothing serious. I think it will be a game-time decision and we will decide whether he can play or not… The doubt surrounding Calathes affects our preparations. He's our brains on the court, he leads the team. During the season we had other injuries and had to put other players in his place. We have to count on the 'next man mentality'. If one is out, another has to play, but that's no excuse. We have to try to play well and win the game."

"I think that for being our first season together: a new coaching staff, a new group, as Pau said, he's been here just for a couple of months... Every battle is very important. Not only to win, but to learn. I think we prepared a game plan for yesterday and we managed to follow that many times, but we could not punish some things. They also got some advantages that they should have not gotten if you prepare well and you are focused. I liked a lot that when things got rough for us, we played more disciplined; our best defense was in the last quarter to make things work. As I always say, it's not only about winning or losing, but learning. We have now 48 hours more to learn and improve."

"We understand the times we’re living in. We have to look at the positive things in the world. We are very fortunate to be having a season. We are very fortunate to have a job. We went through the year with some difficulties but we did it. We have to be proud of that. Fans are such a big part of our lives. It’s a lot of fun to play in front of full arenas, there’s no question about that. The Final Four with this amazing arena would be incredible with 20,000 people, but it is what it is. Nothing we can control."

"[When Pau Gasol was drafted,] at that point you didn’t know what would happen. He was so young. There are so many young talented players coming into the NBA every year. What separates him is his mentality and the humility and work ethic. And that is exactly what we were hoping for when he was coming in. We knew it would take a little bit of time. He had not played in two years. We figured it would take some time before he feels the court and the team and understands the system a little bit. And he’s been a huge help."

"You have to think about the situation as a whole. In European basketball, you can take away one player. There are tactics that you can use and he won’t see the ball. But then the great teams have so many weapons that the other ones will come out and punish you even more. We have to understand it is a final and there will be difficult moments. There will be spurts. You have to take a timeout. You have to regroup a little bit. You have to come back stronger. And you have to continue going for 40 minutes. You have to make it as difficult as possible for the big players. We are just trying to take down the percentages here or there a little. That’s how the game will go. They will score and make tough plays. Just keep going at it for 40 minutes."

**Ergin Ataman, Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach**

"[The] teams had tough semifinal games, but now we join in the final. For us, it is the second consecutive final after 2019. We are tired now, we did not have time to rest and for preparation yet. For sure we will do our best to prepare and play a good game. Good luck to Saras and Barcelona."

"I think that every game has a different history. Also during the season, it is correct that sometimes we won and lost games like this in the last quarter, but also we won many games with huge point differences. We are the best team in point difference in the EuroLeague. Yesterday in last quarter we made some very important mistakes, but with all due respect, Will Clyburn had an extremely great game, on the isolation especially, also Daniel Hackett. But I believe in my philosophy, every game is different, it has a different history."

"I believe that all teams that participate in this Final Four have the same pressure because everybody came here to win the title. It’s the same for us. Starting from the first day of the EuroLeague this season, we have had this pressure because last year we believed we also deserved to reach this level. But we didn’t have a chance because everything was canceled. Of course we have this pressure, but it’s been there every game in the EuroLeague. Every game in the regular season we played against Barcelona was like a final. So tomorrow will be one more game and the players will decide. Which team and which players have the best performance will win the title. Two great teams will be on the court tomorrow."

"We are so sorry for all the people who have gotten infected around the world during this pandemic. Many people have died. Many people have gone through very difficult moments - health, economy. Also in sports. We suffered through this. But now we will play the final. The conditions are like this. Maybe it would have been a better choice to play this Final Four somewhere we could have had fans. But the organization is very good. We will try to play our best basketball tomorrow. And our fans will join by watching on TV. I hope this will be the last final under these conditions in the EuroLeague."

"I think our system depends so much on our perimeter players. We play fancy basketball. We have star perimeter players. Shane Larkin has been the best player in the EuroLeague the last three seasons, Micic, Beaubois, Simon. We play a running game. I give the players freedom, especially on offense. And for this, I think everybody thinks it’s more an offensive team but our offense starts from our defense. We need to have good defense to find early fastbreak and transition points. But if you are only an offensive team, you cannot reach this level. It’s both parts but I am happy because people enjoy playing our basketball. Our players enjoy playing together. They share the ball. In every game we have different stars, but we find ways to win. Like yesterday, Larkin didn’t score but I am sure that he will be the player to win the EuroLeague for us." 

**Pau Gasol, FC Barcelona center**

"We are obviously excited about this opportunity. We played a tough game last night, and we're gonna have to prepare against a very good team in Efes."

"What I know about Efes is that they are the team we face in the final and they are one of the best teams in the competition, filled with great players. I could see them from a distance and now up close. They undoubtedly play great or else they would not be here. There are no secrets. It's a game, a final and we have to prepare well and play with focus, discipline, toughness and confidence in order to win."

"I am really excited about this opportunity. This is a great title to play for. I joined the team about two months ago, and I’m just really grateful for being here and being part of this great team and having a chance to win the EuroLeague title. I don’t have many games left after such a long career. So I just want to make sure I contribute and do my part and enjoy, enjoy this moment and get after it. This is a final and you have to play to win. We just have to do everything we can to give ourselves the best possible chance."

"Leandro [Bolmaro] is a great player with lots of potential. He's contributed many important things this season. I like his athletic abilities but also his personality. He's humble and willing to work and willing to learn. And that's the mentality, and the way to go if you want to become a special player. He's a great kid who has great potential and I hope he keeps helping us like he has been doing for the rest of the season."

"We played three Finals together but Kobe really didn’t say a whole lot. He just brought the mindset and the aggressiveness and the leadership on the court. It’s a different situation. We all understand what we are playing for. Both teams have worked hard to get here and have earned a chance to play in this final. And now it’s just go out there and compete and try to play better than your opponent and beat them. That’s what we’ll try to do. It’s a great opportunity. You just have to go after it and not waste it."

"I’m just trying to enjoy this and do my best. Kobe played as hard as he could. He was always himself until the very last game as we all saw. I’m just going to try to be me and try to complement what the coach and teammates need. That’s all I’m trying to do here. This is a special opportunity. He was one of the greatest players ever. Hopefully, he’ll be watching."

"Every challenge [in my career] has been different. Every moment in my life has been a little bit different. This one is definitely special. And I’m trying to take it in and do my best and to enjoy it and contribute to make it even more special by helping the team win a title. I can’t really rank my different challenges. We all have ours. But it’s definitely a special opportunity. I just want to enjoy it and do my best." 

**Shane Larkin, Anadolu Efes Istanbul guard**

"This is our goal to get to this point in the season, in the championship game. I am just extremely happy to be here, grateful for the opportunity. Good luck to both teams and looking forward to the game."

"You have to take every game one game at he time. In the final, it's going to be a different experience. It is one-game-takes-all, so defensive intensity on both sides will be important. So I expect them to be aggressive, we are gonna come out very aggressive. You play against a team certain amount of time in the regular season, it does not compare anything to the final. It is going to be a competitive game. I am just looking forward to it."

"The experience from 2019 was a great experience for our team. That was the first time a lot of us had been to the Final Four. We were grateful enough to play in the championship game. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to. But it gave us the experience of knowing how to win those games, what it takes and the intensity you have to have and just the mental focus that you need to win some of those games. In terms of the lapses on offense in the games against Madrid, we just relaxed. Everyone is human and we just made some mistakes. But the biggest thing is to learn from those mistakes and try to not let them happen again. And I think we’ve done a better job of that. Obviously, yesterday was another one of those games, but each game is its own entity. We just have to continue to stay focused, not take any breaks, not relax, not get complacent and continue to push forward. And I think if we do that, we have a great chance of becoming champions."

"I’ve been in Europe for four years now and it’s definitely been the most competitive season that I’ve been part of. The playoffs were extremely challenging for most teams. Most teams went to a Game 5. And it’s just been a very challenging season. There have been a lot of different adversities that you’ve had to deal with. And I think it’s going to continue on. The Final Four was extremely difficult for both teams. Both games came down to the wire and I expect the same thing on Sunday. They’re a great team, we’re a great team. They deserve to be here, we deserve to be here. Both teams will do everything they can to become a champion on Sunday. You just have to go out there and fight and do the little things and hopefully, you come out on top."

"It wasn’t necessarily a Shane Larkin day. It’s an Anadolu Efes day. We won the game and reached the final. It really doesn’t matter to me if I score or don’t score. The winning is what’s important. I may not have had my best game yesterday, but as a team, we pulled through at the end and got the victory. That’s all that really matters. We have another chance to become a champion. And that’s what we’re here for."

"It’s always important for your coach to instill confidence in you. I know I’ve been here for three seasons and he’s given me a lot of confidence. He’s allowed me to grow and become the player that I am. He’s just given me ultimate freedom on the court. So hopefully tomorrow I will go back to my regular game and become a champion. At the end of the day, it’s not a single player that’s going to win the game. So all of our team - from one to 12 - will have to be ready to go out there and perform. It really doesn’t matter about one specific player. It’s just about winning a championship. It can be me, it can be Dogus Balbay. It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as we come out of it as champions. That’s all that matters to me. I’m going to go out there and be aggressive and try to be myself and try to win the championship." 

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