
BKT EuroCup: Rīgas Zeļļi vs Aris
The Emperor arrives in Riga
On January 12, “Rīgas Zeļļi” will close out their debut season in the Eurocup regular tournament, hosting on their home court one of the most historic Greek basketball clubs - “Aris Thessaloniki Betsson.”
Founded in 1914, “Aris” is one of Greece’s sporting giants. In the eighties, under the leadership of the legendary Nikos Galis and Panagiotis Giannakis, the Thessaloniki team dominated Greek basketball so convincingly that it earned the nickname “The Emperor.” Throughout its history, the club has won 10 Greek championship titles, eight domestic cups, and three European trophies, and was later recognized as the most successful Greek sports club of the 20th century.
Today, “Aris” is writing a new chapter in its history. This summer, one of the greatest European basketball players of all time - Vasilis Spanoulis - became the team’s head coach. A three-time EuroLeague champion, EuroLeague MVP, and three-time Final Four MVP, after successful work with the Greek national team and “AS Monaco,” he took on a new challenge, signing a three-year contract with “Aris” and becoming the leading face of the club’s new era.
The January 12 game will be the first time Vasilis Spanoulis visits Riga in an official match. For Latvian basketball fans, it will be a rare chance to see, in person, one of the brightest personalities in European basketball history - this time in the role of head coach.
The Emperor. A legend of European basketball. And the closing match of “Rīgas Zeļļi’s” Eurocup regular season.
Don’t miss one of the most anticipated basketball nights of the season at Xiaomi Arena!


