Each week, Matej & Simon will be tackling down the biggest topics in sports & media - one episode at a time!
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Matej Hopp Podcasts
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#68: An El Clásico drama plus a threat called NBA Europe
1:01:30
1:01:30
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1:01:30This week on Up Hill Down Under, we dive into another wild round of EuroLeague action — including a deep look at the El Clásico showdown and what it revealed about both powerhouses (00:01:56). We also break down which teams are poised to take a big step forward in the coming weeks and who might be slipping (00:25:33). To wrap things up, we explore …
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#67: The shot (Belgrade edition) + biggest EuroLeague surprises yet
1:00:53
1:00:53
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1:00:53In this episode, we look back at the latest EuroLeague round — with a special focus on Partizan vs. Barcelona, one of the standout matchups of the week (00:04:17). We talk about the biggest surprises and disappointments so far, and which players still seem to be waiting for their breakthrough performance this season (00:11:11). To wrap things up, w…
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#66: EuroLeague Round 3 & our favorite players we love to see catch fire
54:15
54:15
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54:15In this episode, we recap Round 3 of the EuroLeague — key performances, surprising results and early-season trends starting to take shape (00:03:37). We also share our personal Top 3 players we love to see get hot, those guys who can change the entire energy of a game once they find their rhythm (00:37:20). Co-Host: Matej Hopp and Simon Pichler Pro…
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#65: Early impressions from the EuroLeague start
47:15
47:15
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47:15In this episode, we look back at the first two rounds of the EuroLeague season — a busy double week with 20 games and plenty of talking points. We discuss: Our biggest surprises so far — good and bad Standout performances from the opening rounds What we’ve learned since Round 1 and what might already be shifting Then, we stir the pot with a heated …
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#64: 2025/26 EuroLeague Over/Under Predictions
1:13:47
1:13:47
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1:13:47It has been a wild summer of free Agency. As the new EuroLeague season approaches, we dive deep into all 20(!) teams and predict their over/under results for the upcoming year (00:12:30). Who’s poised for a breakout season? Which powerhouse teams might fall short of expectations? Will there be a Cinderella-like team similiar to Paris last season? S…
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#63: A first glance at the EuroLeague Season 2025/26
52:06
52:06
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52:06After the EuroBasket is before the EuroLeague, right?! As the new season is just around the corner, we take an early look at what has happened so far in the offseason? What's new? Some of the players movement and who are the new maestros on the sidelines? Sounds good? Enjoy the listening. Co-Host: Matej Hopp and Simon Pichler Producer: Simon Pichle…
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In what has been an epic final, Germany did prevail against Turkey to win this years EuroBasket. The World Cup Winner from 2023 now also sits in Europes throne. In this Emergency Pod we break down how they got there and what's next to come. Co-Host: Matej Hopp and Simon Pichler Producer: Simon Pichler Music: Lunatic - HLM 3 (Intro) & 113 - Outro (1…
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#61: Eurobasket 2025 is closing to an (epic) end
42:38
42:38
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42:38We almost there folks! One last day of Eurobasket 2025 to decide who will be crowned Europe's new champion! But first, let's recap the games and how we got to this epic final of Germany vs. Turkey: Analysing the Quarterfinals (00:01:16) Recapping the Semifinals (00:11:31) Preview of the Eurobasket Final 2025 Germany vs. Turkey (00:24:29) Co-Host: M…
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#60: Finland Stuns Serbia + other EuroBasket Shockwaves
46:44
46:44
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46:44EuroBasket 2025 is heating up and the Round of 16 is officially underway! We kick things off with a deep dive into Saturday’s action – starting with the clash between Serbia and Finland, in which Finland might have delivered the upset of the Century (00:01:14). We then break down the rest of the day’s games, highlighting some of the key storylines,…
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After a longer than anticipated break, we are finally back! What has happend? Well, Simon moved across the continents and is officially back on the old continent. And obviously there's lots to discuss: Fatherhood pride when the son gets to represent his country internationally and the development of successful youth programs (00:02:57) Eurobasket 2…
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#58: Fenerbahçe Reigns Again – EuroLeague Champs 2025
43:47
43:47
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43:47Europe has new kings of Basketball Europe. Fenerbahçe Istanbul are EuroLeague champions for the second time (00:03:56)! In a dramatic Final Four run, they outlasted Panathinaikos in the semis and took down Monaco in the final convincingly. We break down Saras’ masterclass, Hayes-Davis clutch performance and the defensive toughness that defined thei…
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#57: Clash of Giants: EuroLeague Final Four Deep Dive
47:27
47:27
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47:27The stage is set. Four teams, four coaches, and countless storylines collide as we break down the EuroLeague Final Four 2025. We go matchup by matchup — starting with Fenerbahçe vs. Panathinaikos: Two of Europe’s loudest fanbases meet in Abu Dhabi, but it’s the coaches who might steal the spotlight. Will Ataman’s swagger outmaneuver Saras’ discipli…
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Heartbreaking sports moments + we have a EuroLeague Final Four 2025
49:02
49:02
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49:02This one hurts. We open the episode with a little therapy session — because if you watched the Monaco-Barça series, you know it was that kind of heartbreak. Plus possibly the greatest semifinal matchup in Champions League history (00:01:32) Then it’s time to shift gears and break down how Monaco and Panathinaikos made it to the Final Four to Abu Dh…
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#55: The End of an Era plus halfway to Abu Dhabi
48:25
48:25
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48:25In this episode, we kick things off with a chat about the NBA headlines: Greg Popovich is officially done coaching — what a loss for the Spurs and the league. Was he the best ever? (00:01:26). Meanwhile, the Lakers are out in five, and the Luka-leadership-bashing is back in full swing (00:12:30). Oh, and yes — the O-O-Finals are more likely than ev…
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#54: It's Spring Sports Bonanza Time
1:02:00
1:02:00
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1:02:00First we take an (unusual) first dive overseas as the NBA Playoffs are on full display and we take a look at some of the most exciting matchups so far (00:01:52). Later we dive into the EuroLeague Awards, breaking down the season’s top performers and biggest surprises. We also shift our focus to the thrilling EuroLeague Playoffs, analyzing key matc…
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#53: March Madness is on + a (still) cloudy playoff picture in EuroLeague
44:39
44:39
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44:39We kick things off with some casual talk about the NCAA Tournament—has Simon’s bracket already gone up in flames? March is officially wild (00:00:00). Then it’s back to Europe, where EuroLeague is in its final rounds and the playoff picture is still unclear which gave us plenty to talk about. Monaco beat Fenerbahce in a high-level matchup. Crvena Z…
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#52: EuroLeague Round 29 Madness & the Ultimate What-If: One Move That Could've Changed Everything
1:07:04
1:07:04
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1:07:04Somehow, we completely forgot to celebrate our 50th episode—WTF?! On the court, EuroLeague Round 29 brought plenty of drama. Round 29 also had its fair share of surprises, as some teams shocked everyone with unexpected performances (00:02:31). The Eternal Enemies Derby saw Olympiacos take an early lead against Panathinaikos and never look back, wit…
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#51: The tightest EuroLeague Playoff Race Ever? And some Luka Magic-Lakers buzz
47:17
47:17
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47:17Round 28 of the EuroLeague is in the books, and things are getting wild—Panathinaikos pummeled Real Madrid, Olympiacos crushed Partizan, and last-minute deadline moves could shake things up (00:03:24). The standings? As tight as ever. Who’s already out, and which teams could make a surprise run? (00:20:58) Plus, a loaded Round 29 preview featuring …
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Luka Dončić Trade Fallout: Lakers’ Future & EuroLeague’s Big NBA Problem
39:58
39:58
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39:58The aftermath of the blockbuster Luka Dončić trade—how have the Lakers fared against Utah since the move? What would need to happen for this to be a bad trade for L.A.? Plus, where does the LeBron-Luka duo rank in NBA history? Meanwhile, in Dallas, things are looking rough: Anthony Davis is already injured, and Mavs fans aren’t happy. In Europe, Eu…
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#49: Rapid Reaction: Luka Doncic to the Lakers….WTF?!?!
19:43
19:43
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19:43Wait…WHAT?! Luka Dončić is a Los Angeles Laker?! This might be the biggest blockbuster trade since….ever? In this brief catch-up, we break down how this deal even happened and what it means for the NBA landscape. But that’s not all. We’ve got TWO mind-blowing conspiracy theories that will make you question at least some of the things. Is there a se…
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In this episode we dive into the hottest topic in all of basketball right now: NBA Europe vs. EuroLeague (00:07:58): •Is the competition inevitable despite skeptics? •Should the EuroLeague be worried about its future? •What would an NBA-Europe merger mean for basketball on the continent? •A fiery hot take: Is the NBA the worse basketball product? W…
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#47: NFL Playoffs Heat Up, EuroLeague Shake-Ups, and What the IMG Deal Means for the Euroleague
58:44
58:44
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58:44In this episode, we dive into the hottest topics in sports: NFL Playoffs, American Football, EuroLeague Basketball, the IMG-EuroLeague deal, streaming expansion, and much more. NFL Wildcard Weekend (06:36) The NFL Playoffs have officially kicked off! We break down the key matchups and discuss why every other league is afraid of the NFL’s dominance.…
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#46: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly - Spanoulis shines in Monaco, Paris stumbles and another drama in Barcelona
57:40
57:40
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57:40Simon joins us from Austria, where his son is trying out for the Austrian National Team (MU16)! We dive into the unique role of being a sports dad and how to navigate the tricky waters of pushy parents in youth sports. EuroLeague: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly (00:15:58) We dissect the latest happenings across Europe’s top basketball competition, in…
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#45: Paris Basketball’s Secret Sauce + EuroLeague’s Bold Move to Abu Dhabi
55:05
55:05
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55:05In this episode, we break down the latest EuroLeague news, including Dusko Ivanovic stepping in for Luca Banchi in Bologna and Vasilios Spanoulis taking over as Monaco’s head coach (00:02:55). The spotlight, however, is on Paris Basketball’s meteoric rise in the EuroLeague (00:12:04). What’s behind their unexpected success? From their underestimate…
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#44: Festive Vibes, Record Nights & EuroLeague’s most impressive performers so far
45:46
45:46
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45:46In this episode, we mix some holiday cheer with a deep dive into the latest EuroLeague action and standout performances that have basketball fans buzzing. It’s the season for festive vibes, and we kick off the episode with some lighthearted holiday banter. We discuss the surprising news of D’Angelo Russell’s interest in playing for Lithuania, the i…
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#43: Showdown in Athens, Real Madrid Woes continue & Big Yaks monster season
51:25
51:25
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51:25In this episode, we dive deep into the latest EuroLeague action and catch up on the standout performances making waves in the world of basketball. EuroLeague Recap: Derby Time in Athens (00:06:01): We break down the thrilling showdown in Athens, where Panathinaikos hosted Olympiacos in a game that might just be the season’s best. From the unique gl…
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We officially ride the Zalgiris Bandwagon, some Coaching Chaos, and Netflix’s Big NBA Bet
54:38
54:38
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54:38In this episode, we tackle the latest Euroleague headlines, starting with a potential shake-up in the coaching scene. Could legendary names like Ettore Messina, Zeljko Obradovic, or even Luca Banchi be facing the hot seat? We dive deep into the possibilities, break down the potential for a first head coach firing, and analyze the top candidates, wh…
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#41: Hoops & Homeruns: Euroleague Highlights & MLB History
54:58
54:58
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54:58In this episode, we dive into the highlights of the past few Euroleague rounds, spotlighting the standout games and a surprising rise from Zalgiris that has everyone talking. We discuss an early Final Four preview in the making, as Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos clash in what could be a thrilling showdown later in the season, and we break down yet an…
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#40: From Fenerbahce’s Dominance to Partizan’s Troubles: Euroleague Early-Season Analysis
56:52
56:52
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56:52In this episode, we dive deep into the Round 2 of EuroLeague basketball, discussing standout performances, tactical strategies, and upcoming matches. We highlight key games and teams that have caught attention, such as Fenerbahce’s impressive early-season form, while also focusing on teams like Zalgiris and their strong potential. Barcelona’s under…
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#39: Euroleague 2024/25: Round 1 Recap – Stars, Surprises & Teams Under Pressure
57:24
57:24
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57:24Welcome to the first episode of the 2024/25 Euroleague season! We’ve tipped off in style, and Round 1 didn’t disappoint. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the best game of the week(00:01:55), analyzing the top teams and performances that caught everyone’s attention. From jaw-dropping individual displays to team efforts that set the bar high—w…
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#38: 2024/25 EuroLeague Over/Under Predictions for every team
1:18:08
1:18:08
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1:18:08As the new EuroLeague season approaches, we dive deep into all 18 teams and predict their over/under results for the upcoming year. Who’s poised for a breakout season? Which powerhouse teams might fall short of expectations? We’ve got you covered with detailed analysis, bold predictions, and everything you need to know before tip-off! Co-Host: Mate…
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#37: Back on the Hardwood: The EuroLeague season 2024/25 is almost here
1:00:00
1:00:00
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1:00:00It has been quite a summer for all the Euroleague teams but two teams definitely stood out. Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiacos Pireus - the Greek nemesis - have been guns blazing with acquiring quite an All Star roster. But one question remains: Who actually had the better summer signings? (00:06:20). Andrea Trinchieri is not known for mincing wor…
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#36: Cinematic Champions: Sports Legends on Film
1:00:08
1:00:08
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1:00:08Sports movies and documentaries have always been intriguing. Some are really well made, some are just bad. We discuss some of our most favorite sports legends and who should portray them in a potential movie (00:15:10). Co-Host: Matej Hopp and Simon Pichler Producer: Simon Pichler Music: Lunatic - HLM 3 (Intro) & 113 - Outro (113 fout la merde) You…
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#35: Hoops in 2028: Will Team USA stay on top? Can Serbia keep up?
49:32
49:32
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49:32It remains uncertain if the USA can continue their dominance in basketball at the 2028 Olympics using the same strategy as in 2024. While their talent pool is deep, other nations are rapidly improving, making the competition increasingly fierce (00:07:14). Head coach Svetislav Pesic expressed concern that Serbian basketball might struggle to remain…
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#34: Stephen Curry saves gold for Team USA
1:03:39
1:03:39
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1:03:39In what has been one of the best, if not the best, Olympic Basketball Tournaments, the USA prevailed against a very competitive French team winning the Gold Medal for a fifth consecutive time (00:07:26). We also discuss our biggest surprises and dissapointments of this years tournament (00:19:18). Naturalized players in FIBA tournaments are athlete…
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The Olympic Games in Paris have started and with that we finally have some basketball to talk about again. After the first games some teams are already on the brink and face elimination from the tournament (00:04:58). While all eyes are on Paris, there have been quite some notable transfers in the EuroLeague. We take you through the latest updates …
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#32: Betting the Euros and some (semi) crazy decisions in basketball
56:52
56:52
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56:52In our most recent episode we put a little bet on the Euro 2024 final between Spain vs. England (00:04:52) Further we discuss the interesting timing of Paris Basketball head coach Joonas Iisalo moving to the Memphis Grizzlies (00:15:28) whereas DBB coach Gordie Herbert has not made up his mind where to move next (00:22:20). Discounts in the NBA are…
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In Conversation with Daniel Friedrich (Gmunden Swans)
1:00:51
1:00:51
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1:00:51With todays episode we start a new segment to the show - the Up Hill Down Under Interview Series. We want to take you behind the curtain as we talk to professionals in the field of sports and media. In our very first conversation we talked to Daniel Friedrich of the Gmunden Swans! He is the current MVAP of the Austrian Basketball Super League, a ch…
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#31: A crazy Euroleague summer and Olympic Qualifying Tournament Updates
48:18
48:18
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48:18Although we got our hearts ripped out in the EUROS during the week, we still managed to make this a fun episode. The list of stars switching Euroleague teams keeps on getting longer and longer. While there are some familiar names floating around, there also will be some new Players showcasing their skillset in Europes premiere Basketball League (00…
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#30: The EUROS, the Finals & the Draft
1:03:10
1:03:10
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1:03:10This week we take you through our own resumee of this years NBA Finals (00:03:15) before switching to the EURO 2024 in Germany were various so called underdog nations, such as Austria or Switzerland, start to aim for more than just be happy to have qualified (00:13:00). The EuroLeague transfer season is on full display as various changes have alrea…
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#29: Some thoughts about the NBA Finals and our preview of the UEFA EURO 2024
49:53
49:53
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49:53The NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks have been a bit disapppointing from a competitive POV but yet there is still plenty to talk about what needs to happen in order for this series to become the competitive battle we‘ve all had initially expected (00:02:39). The UEFA EURO 2024 is about to kick off and we take you throu…
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#28: Review CL Final 2024, Preview of the NBA Finals & latest news out of the EuroLeague
54:07
54:07
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54:07We are recapping Real Madrid winning their record-breaking 15th Champions League title by beating Borussia Dortmund 2:0. Why they don't need a Kylian Mbappe to keep winning (but they still sign him anyway) and what next season could look like. (00:03:30). The NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics vs. the Dallas Mavericks are about to tip-off in the…
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#27: Panathinaikos Athens winning the Euroleague crown in 2024
50:49
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50:49It was the weekend, we've all been waiting for - the Euroleague Final Four 2024 in Berlin. And what a showing of basketball excellence it has been as Panathinaikos Athens dethroned the champions of 2023, Real Madrid, in a stunning comeback victory. We take you through all the reasons of how the new kings of European basketball got there (00:01:48).…
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It's the weekend we've been waiting all season for - Euroleague Final Four with the teams from Real Madrid, Panathinaikos Athens, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Olympiacos Piraeus. We talk about key match-ups, predictions of the games, possible MVPs and everything you need to know about the Final Four in Berlin (00:08:41). It's also awards season in Europ…
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Real Madrid, Panathinaikos Athens, Fenerbahce Istanbul and Olympiacos Piraeus will be competing for Europes basketball crown (00:00:15). After three Game 5 the Euroleague Final Four is finally complete. We take you through the breathtaking ways each team got there and what have been the keys for them punching their ticket to Berlin. Although AS Mon…
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It have been some awesome weeks for sports fans all over the world but especially fans of Euroleague basketball! While Real Madrid already punched their ticket (00:03:25) to this years Euroleague Final Four in Berlin there are still 3 tickets up for grab. Panathinaikos Athens vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv will play their deciding Game 5 on May 7th in Athens…
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It is the best time of the year! We've been waiting all season long but finally the time has arrived - EuroLeague play-offs is about to begin. After discussing about the newly installed play-in tournament we finally get a chance to talk about each series starting of with Real Madrid vs. Saski Baskonia (00:05:35) before moving on to the other games …
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#22: Final round of EuroLeague season 2023/24 and biggest surprises & disappointments
1:06:44
1:06:44
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1:06:44It was EuroLeagues final round and some teams still had high stakes to play for. First, we discuss the couple of regular season games and also take a look how bad we've been in our over/under predictions for each team (00:02:52). Further more, we discuss what have been our biggest surprises and disappointments of the season and take a look at the u…
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#21: Boys are back in town and driving down the memory lane
52:14
52:14
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52:14As Simon has been able to make it to Vienna, it was finally time for our very first Podcast Episode in person. First, Simon and Matej share some nostalgic views about the Basketball Easter Tournament which takes place annually in Vienna (00:01:00) while Simon will reveals what he's most exited about finally being back in his home town (00:05:58). L…
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Yes, we've been silent the last couple of weeks but for all the right reasons. Why? You can find out right at the beginning of the episode. After that it's back to sports talk as we have lots of topics to discuss. First, we talk about Ricky Rubios basketball comeback and what his arrival means for his club, FC Barcelona(00:03:30). After that, we ta…
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