Three teams, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow, are the grand favorites to challenge defending champions Anadolu Efes this season.

All three teams improved their rosters and have their sights set on reaching the EuroLeague Final Four and dethroning the current champions.

FC Barcelona brought in Sertac Sanli, Nigel Hayes, Nicolas Laprovittola and Rokas Jokubaitis. They have a very deep and talented squad and their sole target is to win the EuroLeague.

At the same time, Real Madrid also made changes to its roster. Nigel Williams-Goss, Thomas Heurtel and Adam Hanga came in to bolster the backcourt line. Meanwhile, Guerschon Yabusele and Vincent Poirier will add versatility and strength in the frontline of the “Whites”.

CSKA Moscow will seek to return to the Championship Game after a few years. Even though they parted ways with Mike James, they signed Alexey Shved. If Shved fits to the system, the Muscovites will be one of the grand favorites for the championship.

EuroLeague officially tips off on Thursday, September 30. CSKA Moscow will clash with Armani Milano in Italy. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will battle Anadolu Efes in a rematch of the 2021 playoffs.

For their part, FC Barcelona will host ALBA Berlin on Friday, in the final game of the opening round in the competition.