Overview

• Surne Bilbao Basket won its first European trophy, overcoming PAOK Thessaloniki in the FIBA Europe Cup final on aggregate despite an 84-82 loss in the second leg.
• Melwin Pantzar was named MVP of the final after scoring 17 points and delivering a standout performance under intense pressure.
• The team’s journey included dramatic comebacks, such as a last-second three-pointer in the quarterfinals and a 28-2 scoring run in the semifinals against Dijon to overturn a 19-point deficit.
• Coach Jaume Ponsarnau was praised for his leadership in guiding the team through a challenging campaign to continental success.
• This victory comes 25 years after the collapse of Caja Bilbao, symbolizing a revival of elite basketball in Bizkaia and setting a new benchmark for the club’s ambitions.