Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade will play an exhibition tournament in Crete, Greece, ahead of the EuroLeague 2025-26 season, facing Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul on Friday and either Olympiacos Piraeus or Olimpia Milan over the weekend.
Coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos expressed excitement about the team’s preparation and ambitions, per BasketNews.
“We’re very excited to start a new season, we have a lot of ambitions, we are in the club where we know that we are here for wins and trophies and together with players we prepare ourselves for the first official games,” he said.
He added that the team is now more athletic and plans to prioritize aggressive defense, fast transitions, and ball movement. Sfairopoulos stressed offensive versatility.
“Outside-inside game is very important, we don’t want to be one-dimensional in offense. We want to find numerous ways to score inside and outside.”
He also praised EuroLeague rookie Devonte’ Graham.
“This is his first season in Europe … but he already showcased his quality. He will be one of our main players and I think he will play like in his best years in NBA.”
On team leadership, the coach explained naming Ognjen Dobric and Dejan Davidovac as captains.
“Both of them are in this club for the longest period of time, they are Serbians and they know what it is to be part of Crvena Zvezda … I see them as two captains leading the team.”
