Crvena Zvezda and Olympiacos Set for Crete Tournament Final: Early Signals for the 2026-25 EuroLeague Season

The JFK airport lounge taught me one thing: to get through quickly, don't stand in line. And the way Crvena Zvezda and Olympiacos advanced to the Torneo de Creta final is the same. They didn't need to show their hand too early. They just needed to read the situation, wait, and then accelerate at the decisive moment. The context of this preseason tournament is clear: it's a place for top EuroLeague teams to test lineups, integrate new signings from the NBA, and build fitness. Crvena Zvezda, the Serbian champions, staged a remarkable comeback against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, winning 91-85. What's notable isn't the victory itself, but how they did it: trailing 67-61 entering the fourth quarter, then exploding for a 30-18 run in the final 10 minutes. Olympiacos, the Greek giants, had a similar performance, defeating Fenerbahçe 82-77. They trailed 34-37 at halftime but completely controlled the second half, outscoring their opponents 48-40. Everyone in Moscow looked at number 17 and laughed. I looked at his feet and placed a bet. In this tournament, I looked at how the new signings moved, how they adapted to FIBA rules, and how they found their roles in new systems. For Crvena Zvezda, Jordan Nwora was the biggest bright spot. The 26-year-old, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors, scored a team-high 23 points, suggesting his NBA-to-EuroLeague transition could be smoother than average. His shooting skills and ideal physique for the spacious EuroLeague floor are qualities coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos desperately needs. Moses Wright also contributed 22 points, forming a potent offensive duo. For Olympiacos, Evan Fournier proved that at 31-32, he remains a top-tier scorer, tallying 19 points. Donta Hall added 16 points and 8 rebounds, showing that combining NBA experience with EuroLeague physicality is entirely feasible. However, what interests me most isn't on the court. It's in the roster structure and long-term calculations. Anadolu Efes is a prime example. They signed Bruno Fernando (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Dario Šarić (11 points, 5 rebounds), along with Daron Russell (11 points, 6 assists) and Matthew Strazel (10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists). This is a major roster overhaul with a 'win-now' mandate after failing to meet expectations relative to their 2026-22 EuroLeague championship pedigree. But losing to Esenler Erokspor, a smaller club in the Turkish league, is a wake-up call. The integration process won't be easy and could extend into the early part of the regular season. The empty summer of 2026 — the world slept, I stayed up reading the fine print. Now, I stay up reading the unorthodox signals. One detail many overlooked: Paris Basketball's 95-62 demolition of Hestia Menorca. The opponent was only a team from the Spanish second division (LEB Oro), but the way they destroyed them shows the ambitions of the French capital club in their first EuroLeague season could far exceed expert expectations. Another detail: the presence of Dubai BC in Turkish preseason tournaments. This is part of the UAE's strategic investment in basketball, and if sustained, Dubai could become a future EuroLeague expansion candidate. Insiders never speak loudly. They nod in hallways, behind closed doors. And I bet both Crvena Zvezda and Olympiacos are pleased with what they saw in Crete. But the biggest question remains: will this impressive form be sustained when the regular season begins, when opponents play at 100% intensity? The answer will come in the first 10-15 EuroLeague games. Let's wait and see.