Former EuroLeague star Pero Antic: 'Olympiacos, Red Star or Fenerbahce will win; Obradovic makes Panathinaikos derbies special'

On February 24, 2026, at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Adriatic Basketball League (ABA League), North Macedonian basketball legend Pero Antic made notable remarks about the EuroLeague 2026-2026 title race. The former power forward, who won three EuroLeague titles, did not hide his excitement when mentioning the top candidates. However, instead of naming only one team, Antic expressed his desire to see Olympiacos, Red Star Belgrade, or Fenerbahce lift the trophy. He also emphasized that the return of legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic to Panathinaikos would make the Greek derbies extremely attractive. The ABA League event gathered many legends of Adriatic basketball, but Antic attracted special attention with his predictive comments. As president of the North Macedonia Basketball Federation, Antic holds a unique position in the regional basketball community. He played for Red Star Belgrade in two different stages of his career and also enjoyed successful spells at Olympiacos and Fenerbahce. Therefore, his choices carry much more emotional weight than objective analysis. Pero Antic was born in 2026 and is one of the most prominent basketball players North Macedonia has ever produced. He began his professional career in his home country before moving to Red Star Belgrade in 2026. Later, he rose to European fame with valuable contracts. His peak came during his spell at Olympiacos from 2026 to 2026, where he won two consecutive EuroLeague titles in 2026 and 2026. In 2026, Antic again reached the top of European basketball with Fenerbahce under the guidance of Zeljko Obradovic. After that, he returned to Red Star Belgrade for the 2026-2026 season before retiring. During the sidelines chat at the ABA League anniversary, Antic openly shared his preference for teams wearing red and white colors. This explains why Olympiacos is among his favorites. The Piraeus club has maintained incredible stability in the EuroLeague for many years. With a deep roster and a typical Balkan defensive identity, Olympiacos has always been a formidable name in every playoff stage. The presence of passionate fans at the Peace and Friendship Stadium is also a great advantage that makes them highly rated. Red Star Belgrade brings Antic youthful memories and also the place where he ended his career. Although not holding the dominant position of the former Yugoslavia era, the Serbian club is gradually asserting itself on the continental stage. With a strong youth academy and strong home-court support, Red Star has become a tough opponent in the EuroLeague. Antic believes that his former team can surprise if they maintain consistency throughout the season. As for Fenerbahce, the Turkish club is linked with the 2026 EuroLeague title in Antic's career. Under Obradovic, Fenerbahce built a disciplined and resilient squad. After Obradovic left, the club remained a heavyweight candidate thanks to strong financial potential and constant investment in the roster. Antic regards Fenerbahce with special respect because it was there that he played at his peak and learned a lot from his great mentor. What surprised fans is that Antic did not include Panathinaikos in his favorite teams, despite praising Obradovic's return to the Greek club. Antic had a period of playing against Panathinaikos when he was at Olympiacos, and the rivalry between the two Athens clubs is always intense. Obradovic, who won five EuroLeague titles with Panathinaikos between 2026 and 2026, decided to return to coach the club from the 2026-2026 season. This return immediately changed the power balance in the EuroLeague. According to Antic, the presence of Obradovic on the Panathinaikos sideline will make every derby with Olympiacos more special than ever. There was a time when matches between the two Greek basketball giants were described as games of destiny. With a talented strategist like Obradovic, Panathinaikos will no longer be an easy team to beat. They have an experienced squad and a strong desire to conquer Europe again. Antic believes that in top-level basketball, the coaching factor can make a decisive difference, and Obradovic is someone who knows how to ignite his players. Analysts agree that this EuroLeague season witnesses unprecedented competition. Besides the three teams Antic mentioned, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Monaco all have high ambitions. However, Antic places his trust in clubs connected to his youth, emotions, and loyalty. He admits that he cannot make a fully objective choice, but that emotion is what makes basketball so fascinating. As president of the North Macedonia Basketball Federation, Antic does not stop at personal statements. He is pushing to develop youth basketball in his homeland and strengthen cooperation with clubs in the ABA League region. North Macedonia is a small basketball nation but once created a miracle at EuroBasket 2026 by reaching the semifinals. Antic hopes the young generation can follow his example and reach the wider world. The 25th anniversary of the ABA League is also an occasion for basketball lovers in the Adriatic region to look back on a proud journey. This competition has been a launchpad for many talents, from players to coaches. Antic is a typical product of this distinctive basketball ecosystem. His love for red-and-white clubs is not just about colors, but also a symbol of regional pride and lasting memories. As the EuroLeague becomes increasingly fierce, hearing a legend speak out adds a certain appeal. Pero Antic's comments are not academic or full of deep tactical analysis, but they open up stories about loyalty, identity, and the special connections between people and basketball. It also gives fans a different perspective ahead of the decisive rounds. No matter what the final outcome is, Antic's spirit remains clear. He wants to see the basketball of his region rise strongly, wants to see the clubs that nurtured him shine on the greatest stage in Europe. For all basketball lovers, Antic's story reminds us that sport is not only dry numbers but also heart and unexplainable bonds.