The basketball Panathinaikos He now counts … in reverse, for his “battle” in the Euroleague Final 4 and his semifinals with Fenerbahce by Sarouna Yasikevicius (23.05.2025, 18:00, Newsit.gr) in Abu Dhabi.
As with the missions of the rest of the Euroleague Final 4 teams, so did Panathinaikos, received a … ritual reception.
Members of the Mubarak Al Atiba team were on alert to perform the traditional cultural performance of the United Arab Emirates named, al-Ayyyala.
Part of the reception ritual also got some hawks, who caught the attention of Panathinaikos players, with many taking them impressed.
The reigning EuroLeague champions have landed in Abu Dhabi pic.twitter.com/9uYAw2LNoe
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As it became known from Euroleague posts on social media one of them was named “Erika”. Nick Kalathis had lifted this particular hawk in his hands.
We remind you that the hawk is a bird – a symbol of the United Arab Emirates.
Panathinaikos enjoyed a warm welcome — even from the falcons! pic.twitter.com/hS5rYRBGno
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Bald Eagle x Erica the Falcon
The duo you didn’t know you needed pic.twitter.com/CWRwwZpHKX
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) May 20, 2025
The mission of the “Greens” is also Cereic Nan, the MVP of the leading European event. The American is one of Euroleague’s big stars, with the league advertising his presence on Final 4.
What does that pin say on his shirt?
The MVP has arrived for #F4GLORY pic.twitter.com/DWbPv20zps
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) May 20, 2025
Euroleague posted a photo of Nan from Abu Dhabi on “X”, writing in the caption “O MVP” and emphasizing the pin he was wearing in his blouse, with the letters “MVP”.