BRA/GRE - Battle commences in Intercontinental Cup

SAO PAULO (FIBA Americas League/Euroleague) - Olympiacos and Pinheiros have already hit the heights in Europe and South America in 2013.

Now the sides are going to square off in in the Intercontinental Cup this weekend in Brazil.

The clash pits Euroleague champions Olympiacos, against FIBA Americas League winners, Brazilians Pinheiros Sky, with games on Friday and Sunday in Sao Paulo.

"Since 1996, we haven't had this game, so I want to thank a lot of people for bringing this back, especially the Euroleague," said FIBA Americas President Horacio Muratore.

"We have already received interest from Africa, Oceania and Asia to be a part of this, too.

"Surely, in the next years, this will become consolidated with a real international cup of teams from all continents."

The battles will be waged in the Arena Barueri.

If a team wins both games, it will be crowned champions.

In the event that the two teams each prevail once, the side that wins its game by the biggest point differential will be crowned champions.

"We are proud of being here and representing Europe and we will make a big effort to give our best basketball, even if we are in the pre-season and we are working very hard to be in good shape at the beginning of the season," said Olympiacos coach Georgios Bartzokas.

Plenty of star power will be on show.

For Olympiacos, there is Greece international Vassilis Spanoulis, the MVP of the Euroleague in 2012-13.

Shamell Stallworth, the 2013 FIBA Americas League Final Four MVP, is one of most recognizable faces in the Pinheiros side.

"Not many players have these kinds of opportunities in their career," he said.

"Thank you to both the FIBA Americas and the Euroleague for bringing back the Intercontinental Cup."

Catch the Intercontinental Cup live on livebasketball.tv

FIBA