Paris aims for an upset against Fenerbahçe: Final Four dream goes through Istanbul

Paris Basketball starts its EuroLeague quarter-final this Tuesday, April 22 against Fenerbahçe Istanbul, who finished second in the regular season. After entering the competition following their 2024 EuroCup title, the Parisian club has achieved a remarkable run, even eliminating Real Madrid to join Europe’s top eight teams.

It starts tonight 🏁 pic.twitter.com/a223N3vLd8

— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) April 22, 2025

« We have the perfect role »: Paris wants to strike hard from the start

Tiago Splitter wrote it by hand on the locker room board: « Final Four ». An openly acknowledged goal for a club that keeps defying logic. After beating EuroLeague powerhouses like Barcelona, Olympiakos, Real Madrid, and Monaco, the Parisians now face Fenerbahçe, the only giant they haven’t overcome this season. In late March, last season’s Betclic ELITE playoff finalists nearly won. But that was before Nigel Hayes-Davis hit a three-pointer out of nowhere.

« We’re in the perfect role, that of the underdog, » Yakuba Ouattara (1.90m, 33 years) tells AFP, well-positioned to comment after his campaigns with Monaco. He also knows that home-court advantage can sometimes turn into pressure, especially when the visiting team has nothing to lose. « The pressure will be on them, we’ll just play basketball, » he continues, referring to the intense atmosphere expected Tuesday and Thursday in Istanbul.

İNANILMAZ BİR SON! 🟡🔵

NIGEL HAYES-DAVIS 🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/Y5JknXrng2

— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Türkiye (@EuroLeagueTUR) March 25, 2025

Splitter and Iisalo’s legacy

Founded in 2018, Paris Basketball has quickly shaken up the European hierarchy. Thanks to a stable roster, a structured project led by David Kahn, and a brand new arena, the capital’s club has conquered Europe. Brazilian coach Tiago Splitter, who arrived last summer, has managed to maintain his predecessor Tuomas Iisalo’s tactical legacy while adding his own touch. The result: an aggressive, fast-paced playing style and, above all, a strong identity.

Symbol of this success: T.J. Shorts (1.75m, 27 years), third in MVP voting, the true conductor of a group with impeccable team spirit. « They don’t put ego in the middle. And that’s our greatest strength, » says sporting director Amara Sy.

Jantunen and Lô questionable

The challenge is immense. EuroLeague champion in 2017, the Turkish club remains a continental reference, led this season by Saras Jasikevicius, recently named coach of the year. In their two regular season matchups, Paris lost narrowly, each time in breathtaking finishes.

This Tuesday, they’ll hope that Mikael Jantunen and Maodo Lô, both questionable according to L’Équipe, will be able to play to provide depth to the rotation. But one thing is certain: Paris will be ready for battle. « Since I arrived, I’ve seen their competitive spirit, » says Splitter. Could another surprise come from Istanbul?