By Kostas Paraskevopoulos/ info@eurohoops.net
Reaching the conclusion of the 2025–26 edition of the Basketball Champions League, the Final Four of Season X, powered by Ameresco SUNEL, is set to crown a champion in Badalona.
In the Semifinals on Thursday, AEK is scheduled to face the two-time defending champion, Unicaja, while La Laguna Tenerife will clash with Rytas. followed by the third-place and championship games on Saturday.
The stage is set for a historic tenth anniversary. To celebrate, Eurohoops recaps the history of previous season-ending tournaments.
2016–17: Tenerife Crowned Inaugural Champions
The Champions League debuted with its first Final Four in Tenerife. The hosts secured the title in a defensive battle against Banvit. Marius Grigonis earned the first-ever MVP award.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals | Banvit vs. AS Monaco | 83–74 |
| Semifinals | Iberostar Tenerife vs. Umana Reyer Venice | 67–58 |
| Third place | AS Monaco vs. Umana Reyer Venice | 91–77 |
| Championship | Iberostar Tenerife vs. Banvit | 63–59 |
2017–18: AEK Triumphs at a Packed OAKA
AEK became the first Greek team to reach and win the Final Four. Playing in front of a home crowd in Athens, Dragan Sakota’s squad delivered a high-scoring performance to defeat AS Monaco in the final. Point guard Mike Green was named MVP.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinal | MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg vs. AS Monaco | 65–87 |
| Semifinal | AEK vs. UCAM Murcia | 77–75 |
| Third place | MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg vs. UCAM Murcia | 74–85 |
| Championship | AS Monaco vs. AEK | 94–100 |
2018–19: Virtus Bologna Dominates Antwerp
The title moved to Italy as Virtus Segafredo Bologna claimed the trophy in Belgium. Led by Final Four MVP Kevin Punter, they comfortably defeated Iberostar Tenerife in the championship game.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals | Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Brose Bamberg | 67–50 |
| Semifinals | Iberostar Tenerife vs. Telenet Giants Antwerp | 70–54 |
| Third place | Brose Bamberg vs. Telenet Giants Antwerp | 58–72 |
| Championship | Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Iberostar Tenerife | 73–61 |
2019–20: San Pablo Burgos Wins Bubble Title
Disrupted by COVID-19, the season concluded with a Final Eight at OAKA behind closed doors. Hereda San Pablo Burgos emerged victorious against AEK, with Thad McFadden taking home MVP honors.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Hereda San Pablo Burgos vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | 92–65 |
| Quarterfinals | Turk Telekom vs. JDA Dijon | 82–83 |
| Quarterfinals | Casademont Zaragoza vs. Iberostar Tenerife | 87–81 |
| Quarterfinals | ERA Nymburk vs. AEK | 82–94 |
| Semifinals | JDA Dijon vs. Hereda San Pablo Burgos | 69–81 |
| Semifinals | Casademont Zaragoza vs. AEK | 75–99 |
| Third place | JDA Dijon vs. Casademont Zaragoza | 70–65 |
| Championship | Hereda San Pablo Burgos vs. AEK | 85–74 |
2020–21: San Pablo Burgos Makes History
In another Final Eight format, this time in Russia, San Pablo Burgos became the first back-to-back champions in history by edging out Karsiyaka in the final. Vitor Benite was named MVP.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Nizhny Novgorod vs. Casademont Zaragoza | 78–86 |
| Quarterfinals | ERA Nymburk vs. Pinar Karsiyaka | 73–84 |
| Quarterfinals | Lenovo Tenerife vs. SIG Strasbourg | 86–88 |
| Quarterfinals | Hapoel UNET Holon vs. Hereda San Pablo Burgos | 77–86 |
| Semifinals | Casademont Zaragoza vs. Pinar Karsiyaka | 79–84 |
| Semifinals | Hereda San Pablo Burgos vs. SIG Strasbourg | 81–70 |
| Third place | SIG Strasbourg vs. Casademont Zaragoza | 77–89 |
| Championship | Pinar Karsiyaka vs. Hereda San Pablo Burgos | 59–64 |
2021–22: Tenerife’s Second Title in Bilbao
Lenovo Tenerife reclaimed the throne in an all-Spanish final against BAXI Manresa. At age 38, Marcelinho Huertas was named MVP, proving his longevity in the competition.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals | Hapoel UNET Holon vs. Lenovo Tenerife | 71–78 |
| Semifinals | BAXI Manresa vs. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg | 63–55 |
| Third place | MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg vs. Hapoel UNET Holon | 88–68 |
| Championship | BAXI Manresa vs. Lenovo Tenerife | 87–98 |
2022–23: Bonn and Shorts Ascend
Telekom Baskets Bonn stunned hosts Unicaja in the Semifinals before defeating Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem for their first title. Tournament sensation T.J. Shorts II was the clear choice for MVP.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals | Lenovo Tenerife vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | 68–69 |
| Semifinals | Unicaja vs. Telekom Baskets Bonn | 67–69 |
| Third place | Unicaja vs. Lenovo Tenerife | 79–84 |
| Championship | Telekom Baskets Bonn vs. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | 77–70 |
2023–24: Unicaja Reigns in Belgrade
Unicaja redeemed itself the following year in Serbia. They defeated Tenerife in an intense final, with Kendrick Perry earning the MVP title for the Andalusian side.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals | Lenovo Tenerife vs. Peristeri bwin | 97–93 |
| Semifinals | UCAM Murcia vs. Unicaja | 74–80 |
| Third place | Peristeri bwin vs. UCAM Murcia | 84–87 |
| Championship | Lenovo Tenerife vs. Unicaja | 75–80 |
2024–25: Back-to-Back Success for Unicaja
Last season, Unicaja successfully defended their title at SUNEL Arena. After overcoming hosting AEK Betsson in the Semifinals, they beat Galatasaray in the Final. Tyson Carter was named MVP.
| Phase | Matchup | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semifinals | La Laguna Tenerife vs. Galatasaray | 80–90 |
| Semifinals | AEK Betsson vs. Unicaja | 65–71 |
| Third place | La Laguna Tenerife vs. AEK Betsson | 73–77 |
| Championship | Galatasaray vs. Unicaja | 67–83 |