The International Basketball Tournament in Crete is already delivering intrigue, with Crvena Zvezda booking their place in the final after a 77–67 win over Fenerbahce.
Now, the spotlight shifts to the second semifinal between Olympiacos and Olimpia Milano, which will determine who joins the Serbian side in the championship game.
A potential Olympiacos–Crvena Zvezda matchup would bring together two teams that pride themselves on physicality and defensive toughness, promising a high-intensity battle.
Olympiacos, even without several key names during preseason, boasts depth and the ability to overwhelm opponents in transition.
If they advance, their challenge will be to contain Zvezda’s versatile wings like Jordan Nwora and Chima Moneke, who combined for 28 points in the opener.
On the other hand, if Olimpia Milano secures a spot in the final, the storyline shifts. Ettore Messina’s squad, led by veterans such as Shavon Shields and Nikola Mirotic (depending on rotations), will look to slow the tempo and lean on disciplined half-court execution.
Against Crvena Zvezda, Milano’s ability to protect the perimeter and match their athleticism on the boards would be key.
Crvena Zvezda, for their part, enter the final brimming with confidence. Balanced contributions from their backcourt and frontcourt have already shown they can spread the floor and adapt to different styles.
Wade Baldwin’s strong 15-point showing for Fenerbahce proved how dangerous elite guards can be, but Zvezda’s collective defense held firm.
No matter the opponent, Zvezda will need another well-rounded effort to lift the Crete trophy.
As coach Giannis Sfairopoulos is likely to emphasize, this preseason is not just about silverware, but about sharpening chemistry and testing rotations against Europe’s elite.
Jordan Nwora and Chima Moneke led the scoring as Crvena Zvezda defeated Fenerbahce in a preseason clash in Crete.#Euroleague https://t.co/oibgNEUSSl
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 19, 2025
