The new Fenerbahce will face Bayern in Munich

After a break of more than 4 months, the EuroLeague action finally returns and many exciting games are scheduled for Round 1. One of the games that make even neutral fans very curious will be played on Thursday evening in the Audi Dome, where Bayern Munich will host Fenerbahce Istanbul, as both teams went through many important changes in the summer and the expectations are high.

Bayern kept coach Andrea Trinchieri, who is doing a great job since he arrived in Munich and managed to qualify Bayern for the playoffs against all odds last season. However, the roster suffered some changes, as 5 new players arrived in Bavaria. Former Michigan State and Washington Wizards point guard Cassius Winston was brought in to improve Bayern’s backcourt. Isaac Bonga returns to Germany after 4 years spent between the NBA and G League (just like Winston, Bonga also played for the Washington Wizards). Forward Niklas Wimberg arrived from Chemnitz, former Lakers player Elias Harris also returned to Germany after he ended the last season in Japan and for the center position the German team signed Freddie Gillespie, who spent the last season in the G League at Memphis Hustle (he also had two 10 day contracts with the Orlando Magic).

It will be interesting to see how Gillespie and Winston will adapt to the European game, as coach Trinchieri worked really well in the past with ‘’rookie’’ American players and Bayern has the potential to reach the playoffs again this year.

If Bayern made just a few roster changes, Fenerbahce almost completely rebuilt its team. Dimitris Itoudis was named as the new coach and while some legends like Nando de Colo or Jan Vesely left after many years, Fener made very impressive signings. For the guard positions, scoring machine Scottie Wilbekin arrived from Maccabi, Nick Calathes left Barcelona to join Fener while last season’s G League scoring champion Carsen Edwards will be at his first experience in European basketball. Former EuroLeague MVP and 2022 NBA champion Nemanja Bjelica returned to Fener after 7 years. Nigel Hayes-Davis followed Nick Calathes from Barcelona to Istanbul, while Johnathan Motley and Tonye Jekiri arrived from the Russian league to help the Turkish team under the basket.

It will be an exciting game as the two teams have many new faces. In theory, Fener has a stronger roster, but they also have more new players and a new coach/system, so anything is possible in this game.

Imre Halasz

Photo credit:  EuroLeague

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