BILBAO (Spain) - Despite the win in the first leg of the FIBA Europe Cup Finals on Wednesday, Bilbao Basket's Thijs De Ridder isn't celebrating just yet.
In front of a sellout crowd at the Bilbao Arena, the Spanish side bested PAOK mateco 72-65 in the opening tie. Still, a single-digit advantage means the game is nicely balanced heading into the second leg in Thessaloniki next Wednesday.
"PAOK is a really good team, it's a crazy Finals," De Ridder said. "We know we have a good advantage right now. But as you saw in the Semi-Finals, we came back from 19 points. In basketball, everything is possible, so we have to stay focused and keep playing like this.
"The crowd amazing - we know that many people in our gym can do this. It was extra special. Hopefully our fans travelling with us next week give us the same energy."
Bilbao will take nothing for granted, but they made a solid start on their home floor, with De Ridder in particular outstanding.
The 22-year-old rising Belgian star came on for the first time with 4:24 remaining in the first quarter and made an instant impact. He made his first six shots and posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds; finishing 6-of-7 from the field.
In his fourth season in the FIBA Europe Cup, De Ridder is enjoying career highs in this competition, eclipsing his previous best back in 2023 with his hometown side Telenet Giants Antwerp.
De Ridder is now in his second season with Bilbao, he is averaging double digits in scoring for the first time in the competition.
Under the basket and from the mid-range, De Ridder was in rhythm all game long, with PAOK's defense struggling to contain his versatility and quick thinking.
"I know I’m really good coming off the bench - bringing energy to the game, my main strength, keep helping the team any way I can," he said of his role.
Season | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | EFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024-25 | Bilbao Basket | 15 | 11.9 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 15.1 |
2023-24 | Bilbao Basket | 14 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 8.6 |
2023-24 | Telenet Giants Antwerp | 8 | 8.8 | 5 | 0.5 | 11.1 |
2022-23 | Telenet Giants Antwerp | 6 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 5.5 |
With a potential FIBA EuroBasket debut with Belgium also at the back of his mind, he would love to have a European trophy on his resume in time for the international summer.
"I have been playing the FIBA Europe Cup for some years now. I went out in the first group stage, then last year, I got to the semi-finals. So now I'm finally in the final, and hopefully I get it done.
"It would mean the world to me (to win the title), and we want to make it happen as a team."
FIBA