Panathinaikos crowned Cyber EuroLeague Champions after dominant Final Four run

Ivan Trbuskovic posing in PAO jersey, the team he represented during season 1 of NBA2K26 Online Cyber EL

Panathinaikos Cyber EuroLeague Champions Led by Ivan Trbuskovic

watch the full F4 here

(on demand from sportal.rs)

Panathinaikos Cyber EuroLeague champions is the headline story of the 2K26 Season 1 Online League, as Ivan Trbuskovic led the Greek powerhouse to the title with a commanding Final victory over Real Madrid.

Widely regarded as the best European 2K console online league, Cyber EuroLeague 2K26 delivered a highly competitive first season, featuring elite European NBA 2K players, intense playoff matchups, and live coverage of the Final Four weekend by Sofascore and sportal.rs.

Panathinaikos were represented by Ivan Trbuskovic, known as Trba, a Serbian NBA 2K player and 2K coach at ESports Battle in Serbia. From the regular season to the Final, Trbuskovic proved why he was the player to beat.

The Greens have been a dominant force throughout the whole season

First Seed, Playoff Winner, Champion

Panathinaikos entered the playoffs as the number one seed after the regular season, confirming their consistency throughout the league phase.

In the Quarterfinals, Trbuskovic defeated Baskonia 3-1, securing his place in the Final Four and keeping Panathinaikos on course for the title. From there, he elevated his game even further.

The Final Four was held over the weekend and fully covered live, adding extra visibility and pressure to the biggest games of the season.

The Final 4 stage was set, with the semis on a Friday evening, and the Grand Final a day after. Everything was live covered by Sofascore, like the whole season, but the F4 was also live on sportal.rs the biggest sports platform of Serbia and official partner of the real-life Euroleague

Semifinal: Panathinaikos Break Valencia’s Elite Defense

In the Semifinal, Trbuskovic faced Veljko Komlos, who represented Valencia. Komlos had built one of the strongest defensive records in the competition, making the matchup one of the most anticipated games of the Final Four.

However, Panathinaikos found a way to break through.

Trbuskovic produced one of his best offensive performances of the season, scoring over 100 points against the league’s best defense and defeating Valencia 105-93. It was a major statement win and sent Panathinaikos into the championship game with momentum.

The Grand Final had two Serbians clash vs each other, who knew each other really good. Both with same record at the top of the regular season standings and teammates in the 2K national team of Serbia

Final: Panathinaikos Defeat Real Madrid 109-86

The Final brought a special Serbian national team storyline.

Trbuskovic faced his Serbia 2K national team teammate and captain, Luka Vujasinovic, who represented Real Madrid. Vujasinovic had entered the playoffs as the second seed, finishing the regular season with the same record as Trbuskovic.

Real Madrid reached the Final after a strong Semifinal victory over AS Monaco, defeating Martynas Valaitis, one of the best Lithuanian NBA 2K players and the defending champion, who represented Monaco.

But in the title game, Trbuskovic delivered a complete tactical performance.

Panathinaikos defeated Real Madrid 109-86, controlling the rhythm from start to finish. Vujasinovic is known for shooting a high volume of three-pointers at an elite level, but Trbuskovic successfully disrupted that strength with disciplined defensive gameplay.

He forced Vujasinovic into uncomfortable shots with players he did not feel as confident using, while also applying well-timed half-court trap double teams. Panathinaikos’ defenders consistently waited in the passing lanes, cutting off Real Madrid’s options and turning defensive pressure into offensive control.

It was not just a win. It was a tactical masterclass.

"Congrats to Trba. It was a good season, I am happy, and I lost against a very good player, so I can not be disappointed. Well deserved." - Vujasinovic stated after the Final defeat

Ivan Trbuskovic, 2K Coach within the Esports Battle, proves his high renomee on European 2K stage once again

Panathinaikos Win It All

With the victory, Panathinaikos became the first champions of the Cyber EuroLeague 2K26 Season 1 Online League.

Trbuskovic’s title run included the number one regular-season seed, a 3-1 Quarterfinal win over Baskonia, a Semifinal win against Valencia’s elite defense, and a dominant Final performance against Real Madrid.

Panathinaikos did not simply survive the playoffs. They controlled them.

"Congrats to Vujas [Luka Vujasinovic}, who had a wonderful season, but also to Veljko [Komlos - played with Valencia], who was my opponent in the semifinal. It was really hard to pass through them to become the champion of Europe. Now I have to re-focus on the next season, which is going to be tuffest ever and I have to adapt with my new team, Real Madrid.A lot of high level gamers joined once again, so it is not getting any easier." - Ivan Trbuskovic

Looking Ahead to Cyber EuroLeague 2K26 Season 2

The next season already brings major storylines.

In Cyber EuroLeague 2K26 Season 2, Panathinaikos will be represented by Greek local player Giannis Moscholios. Their biggest domestic rival, Olympiacos, will also be represented by a Greek gamer, Nikos Karakoussis.

That means two of the best Greek NBA 2K players will represent the two biggest Greek basketball clubs, creating a perfect rivalry for Season 2.

Meanwhile, newly crowned champion Ivan Trbuskovic will move to Real Madrid, adding even more excitement to the upcoming season.

After winning it all with Panathinaikos, Trbuskovic will now try to defend his status at the top of European NBA 2K with one of the biggest clubs in world basketball.

WATCH THE FULL FINAL FOUR ON DEMAND HERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf_NEF5inV8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvNhnKTRqrI