Lucky charm: Kostas Sloukas almost synonym for EuroLeague F4 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

With luminaries including Vassilis Spanoulis, Kevin Durant, and Emma Stone in the audience at a crowded Peace and Friendship Stadium, several players stepped up with outstanding personal contributions as Olympiacos Piraeus took down AS Monaco.

3-pointers this season

36%9,2Points made:9,2Accuracy:35,6%Place in standings:5Record max:18Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Tyler DorseyTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Nobody, though, was more decisive than the man who has led Oly throughout the whole season: Kostas Sloukas.

The three-time EuroLeague champion was barely a factor in Game 5 during the opening three quarters, scoring just 2 points with 6 seconds to play in the third period.

But when Olympiacos needed him the most, their veteran guard stepped up to take responsibility. He poured in 13 points over the last tally and finished the duel with 15 points (1/3 2PT, 2/2 3PT, 7/8 FT), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 turnovers, and 22 PIR.

He was the main reason why Olympiacos booked a trip to the EuroLeague Final Four in Belgrade. The Reds will come back to F4 after a five-year break and will meet reigning EuroLeague champs Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the semifinals.

For Sloukas, it will be his ninth EuroLeague Final Four in 11 seasons. He is now tied with Kyle Hines of AX Armani Exchange Milan with such a record.

Both players made the most F4 among active EuroLeague athletes (excluding the pandemic season), via Darius Garuolis.

The 32-year-old Sloukas played in the ultimate phase of the competition in 2012, 2013, and 2015 for Olympiacos, while competing in four events with Fenerbahce: 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

He was on the Olympiacos roster in 2010 as well, but didn't play a single minute.

The Spanish trio of Sergio Rodriguez (8), Sergio Llull (8), and Rudy Fernandez (7) close the Top 5.

Player Final Four EL Seasons Kostas Sloukas 9 11 Kyle Hines 9 11 Sergio Rodriguez 8 11 Sergio Llull 8 14 Rudy Fernandez 7 11 Jan Vesely 6 10

Crazy basketball night in Piraeus:

Best moments of the series:

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