By Stefanos Tatsios / info@eurohoops.net
In the world of basketball, the conclusion of the EuroLeague’s regular season marks a pivotal moment. As we transition from the Play-In phase to the highly anticipated Playoffs, Eurohoops is committed to bringing you in-depth coverage of this thrilling time.
The EuroLeague Playoffs showcase teams meticulously preparing to face off against each other, with the stakes at an all-time high. Each team fights fiercely for the reward of an entire season’s hard work—often a matter of pride, as losing teams strive to capture at least a single victory.
However, there are occasions when one team dominates, leaving little room for their opponents to breathe. Since the Playoffs began in 2004, there have been instances where teams have swept their rivals, a phenomenon that has occurred three times across eight seasons. Notably, the 2017-2018 season springs to mind, where four teams clinched their Final Four tickets with a decisive 3-1 victory. The other notable seasons were 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.
Considering the rich history of the EuroLeague Playoffs—23 series have featured such sweeps—CSKA Moscow shines brightly, having claimed the title six times in a single series. Not far behind is our representative, Fenerbahçe Beko, who has achieved four sweeps of their own. But history reminds us that even elite teams can falter; Olympiakos and Panathinaikos have both experienced the sting of a sweep in the past.
A standout figure in this narrative is coach Željko Obradović. Under his guidance, Fenerbahçe has swept opponents three times, adding another to his illustrious coaching career with Panathinaikos. In total, he has orchestrated four memorable sweeps, which speaks volumes about his strategic genius.
As we delve deeper into this riveting aspect of basketball, we will uncover every sweep from the 2004-2005 season onward, bringing you insights into all playoff sweeps that have captivated fans over the years. Stay tuned as we celebrate the intensity and drama that only the EuroLeague Playoffs can deliver.
