The only European player ever to win both the Euroleague and NCAA titles, Jiri "George" Zidek has been a collaborator with Euroleague.net and Euroleague.TV since the 2006 Final Four was held in his native Czech Republic. Big George, who won the Euroleague with Zalgiris Kaunas in 1999, continues as a color analyst of Euroleague games for Czech TV, not to mention for Euroleague.TV, where he has worked the last three Final Fours. As George returns for the 2011-12 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season, expect more great insights from an ex-champ's point of view!

The last four teams standing and the last four games of the season - that’s what lies ahead of us this weekend in Istanbul in the special settings of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four at the beautiful Sinan Erden Arena. I would not say there is one heavy favorite when teams of highest quality, tradition and experience clash with only 40 minutes to decide their fates. As you well know, the Final Four format doesn’t give you any second chances; there is no room to save anything for tomorrow. With the season on the line, detailed preparation, strategy and past experience come into light more than ever. Players and fans alike must steady their nerves and peak in form to survive the thrills, pressure and emotional highs and lows that only the Final Four can deliver. It goes without saying that there will be only one winner at the end of the day with the remaining three teams waiting for another chance next season. It has been a privilege to follow the Euroleague up close all season long and to witness four special teams on their way to the grand finale. I wish all the participants the... more

The only European player ever to win both the Euroleague and NCAA titles, Jiri "George" Zidek has been a collaborator with Euroleague.net and Euroleague.TV since the 2006 Final Four was held in his native Czech Republic. Big George, who won the Euroleague with Zalgiris Kaunas in 1999, continues as a color analyst of Euroleague games for Czech TV, not to mention for Euroleague.TV, where he has worked the last three Final Fours. As George returns for the 2011-12 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season, expect more great insights from an ex-champ's point of view!

Even though the countdown to the 2012 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four is still a matter of days and not yet hours, a lot of great material has already been published about the Final Four and all its participants. I think it's too early to get into the nitty gritty analysis of the matchups, rosters and who has the edge over who at each position. Let's instead look back at how the season developed for each of the teams and what got them this far. The Final Four is a special do-or-die format in which 40 minutes of play – whether a pure thrill or a season-wrecking experience – determines the outcome of long months of work and aspirations. All the Final Fours that I have been part of since Prague have been nothing but impressive, and there is no reason to expect anything less this time around. If there is one thing to wish for before Friday the 11th, it is for all the players to be healthy. Injuries, the greatest variable in the world of sports, can put a sizable dent into a team's hopes. So let's wish for full rosters in Istanbul!

CSKA Moscow more

The only European player ever to win both the Euroleague and NCAA titles, Jiri "George" Zidek has been a collaborator with Euroleague.net and Euroleague.TV since the 2006 Final Four was held in his native Czech Republic. Big George, who won the Euroleague with Zalgiris Kaunas in 1999, continues as a color analyst of Euroleague games for Czech TV, not to mention for Euroleague.TV, where he has worked the last three Final Fours. As George returns for the 2011-12 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season, expect more great insights from an ex-champ's point of view!

Allow me a brief retrospective look on the playoffs that are three quarters finished and have only one pair of teams heading into an all-or-nothing Game 5 showdown that will determine the last team to book its tickets to Istanbul for the Final Four next month. FC Barcelona Regal was the only team to sweep its series against the rookies from the most eastern Euroleague outpost. History will not ask months or years later, nonetheless Unics Kazan did its best to keep the broom in the traditional title contender’s closet. Coach Xavi Pascual and his group of seasoned stars had to dig deeper than many expected in each game of the series, which turned into a slowdown, possession for possession fierce battle.

High marks go to Gescrap Bilbao, another Euroleague newcomer, with the end of its premier season in the big leagues. CSKA fulfilled the duty as the on-the-paper favorite and disposed of the feisty Basques en route to Istanbul. Not many predicted four games for the Muscovites to accomplish this feat. I must note that I enjoyed watching Gescrap BB in this series just as much as it was entertaining to see their progression throughout the season.... more

The only European player ever to win both the Euroleague and NCAA titles, Jiri "George" Zidek has been a collaborator with Euroleague.net and Euroleague.TV since the 2006 Final Four was held in his native Czech Republic. Big George, who won the Euroleague with Zalgiris Kaunas in 1999, continues as a color analyst of Euroleague games for Czech TV, not to mention for Euroleague.TV, where he has worked the last three Final Fours. As George returns for the 2011-12 Turkish Airlines Euroleague season, expect more great insights from an ex-champ's point of view!

How about these playoffs so far?! Players and coaches like to talk about another level of play that the playoffs bring out of everyone. I think it is safe to say that we have not been misled by such statements! The opening rounds of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Playoffs gave us a chance to see how elite this group of the last eight standing teams truly is – or rather with how much pride and effort these teams play with. All the supposed Davids held their heads high and it turned out to be no walk in the park for the on-the-paper favorites. Playoff rookie Unics gave perennial favorite FC Barcelona all it could handle in Barcelona, coming just few shots away from major upsets in both games. Maccabi proved once again that it’s irrelevant by how many points you win or lose by in the playoffs as it shifted from a crushing defeat in Game 1 to a sweet overtime victory only 48 hours later. All the players deserve a lot of credit for their performances, which reflected the seriousness of the situation. Sparks and bodies were literally flying everywhere in the heart of Tuscany as Siena clashed heads with Olympiacos. While CSKA looked as sharp as ever in the... more