Aleksander Balcerowski has become the first Polish player to celebrate a victory in the EuroLeague. His team, Panathinaikos Athens, triumphed over Real Madrid in the grand final, securing their seventh title. The Greek club, led by coach Ergin Ataman, had a solid regular season, entering the playoffs in second place. They overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv in a tough battle and defeated Fenerbahce in the semifinals.
The Final Showdown
In the final, Real Madrid was the favorite, having confidently advanced through the previous stages. However, despite leading at halftime, they faltered in the second half, missing numerous shots. Panathinaikos maintained their performance level, winning 95-80. MVP of the Final Four, Kostas Sloukas, scored 24 points, while Kendrick Nunn added 21. Balcerowski, although a reserve, expressed his excitement for being part of the victorious team.
Balcerowski has had a remarkable year, adding this EuroLeague title to his EuroCup victory with Gran Canaria. Despite not playing in the final matches, his journey from Górnik Wałbrzych to Panathinaikos has been impressive. At 23, the Świdnica-born center has also achieved a fourth-place finish with the Polish national team at the latest European Championship.
Looking Ahead
The next challenge for Balcerowski is to support Poland in their quest for an Olympic appearance, a goal they have been chasing for 44 years. The competition will be fierce, with Spain as the main contenders. Nonetheless, Balcerowski’s recent successes have given him confidence and experience that will be invaluable in the upcoming qualifiers.