Olympiakos Ends Drought with Victory Over Real Madrid

Olympiakos has captured the EuroLeague championship, defeating Real Madrid 92-85 in a thrilling Final Four final hosted in Athens. The Greek side ended a long wait for silverware, celebrating in front of a raucous home crowd at the OAKA complex. The victory marks a significant moment for the club, which has been one of Europe’s most historic basketball institutions but had endured years without the continent’s top prize.

The match began with Real Madrid striking first, taking a 15-3 lead by the fourth minute thanks to efficient three-point shooting. Olympiakos responded swiftly, erasing the deficit with a 9-0 run that saw them trail by just three points early in the first quarter. Madrid, bolstered by Jared Lyles’ 13 points in the opening period, managed to close the first quarter with a 26-19 lead, setting up a tactical battle for the remainder of the game.

A Tight Contest Decided in the Final Minutes

The second quarter saw Madrid extend their lead to double digits when Sergio Llull and Gabriel Deck found their range. However, Olympiakos refused to fold, leveraging bench contributions and forcing Madrid into difficult shots. By the 18th minute, the Greeks had taken a 38-36 lead. The quarter remained tight, with both teams trading baskets from beyond the arc. Olympiakos headed into halftime with a narrow 46-44 advantage, thanks to a crucial basket by Moustapha Fall near the buzzer.

The third quarter was a defensive grind. Madrid briefly took control with a 10-0 run, pushing their lead to 60-54. Olympiakos fought back, keeping the margin close, but Madrid’s free-throw shooting allowed them to close the half with a 65-61 lead. The game remained a one-possession contest throughout the early stages of the fourth quarter.

Fournier Shines as Olympiakos Seals the Deal

The final period erupted into chaos. Both teams traded deep shots, and the lead changed hands several times. Olympiakos gained momentum in the 35th minute, building an 88-80 lead with 36 seconds remaining. Real Madrid attempted a late comeback, capitalizing on Greek turnovers to cut the deficit. However, a missed opportunity to tie the game with 13 seconds left sealed Olympiakos’ fate as champions.

Evan Fournier was the standout performer for the winners, scoring 20 points to earn Final Four MVP honors. His leadership on offense was pivotal in the closing minutes. For Real Madrid, Jaron Blossomgame and Facundo Campazzo tried to rally the team, but it wasn't enough.

The trophy ceremony was emotional. EuroLeague President Dejan Bodiroga presented the championship trophy to Olympiakos captain Kostas Papanikolaou. As Papanikolaou lifted the cup, the stadium erupted into song, celebrating with Queen’s "We Are The Champions." Real Madrid captain Sergio Llull received the runner-up award, accepting the result with grace after a valiant effort.