A Father’s Strict Standard

For Alexander Vezενков, success is not measured in domestic trophies or statistical accolades alone. It is defined by one singular metric: European supremacy. Minutes after Olympiacos secured a 92-85 victory over Real Madrid in the EuroLeague final in Athens, the Bulgarian star was overcome with emotion. He rushed to the stands to embrace his father, Sasho Vezенков, who had long instilled a ruthless philosophy in his son.

“When I was younger and won a title, my father would say: ‘Don’t celebrate, you haven’t become a European champion,’ ” Vezенков recalled. “Now I say to him: ‘I am a European champion now, and I will celebrate!’ ”

Avenging Kaunas Heartbreak

The victory in the Peace and Friendship Stadium served as bitter-sweet redemption. Three years prior in Kaunas, Vezенков was the EuroLeague’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer, yet Olympiacos fell to Real Madrid on a last-second shot by Sergio Llull. That night, Vezенков played nearly 40 minutes, scoring 29 points — tying the final record set by Shane Larkin in 2019.

On Sunday, his performance was less statistically dominant but equally vital. He finished with 12 points, but the result mattered more. Opponents describe him not as a ball-dribbler, but as a “killer” once the ball is in his hands. This title marked Olympiacos’ first EuroLeague crown since 2013 and their fourth overall.

Historical Individual Honors

Vezенков’s season culminated in historic individual recognition. He became the 16th player in EuroLeague history to win the Final Four MVP award, joining an elite list that includes Juan Carlos Navarro, Dimitris Diamantidis, and Luka Dončić. Notably, only Vezенков and Nando de Colo have achieved the rare feat of winning both the MVP and top scorer titles in the same season.

Despite the joy, the atmosphere in Athens was tense. With away fans banned, the 18,000 home supporters created a hostile environment. Rival club Panathinaikos later hired a disinfection company after the game, citing security concerns, while the event’s logistics echoed pandemic-era restrictions. Vezенков remained focused.

“I returned to my family — Olympiacos — to become a champion. It was very hard, but we did it. This team deserved it. Now I can sleep peacefully,” he said. “Honestly, I don’t know how I feel. I want to cry, I want to laugh… We went through many difficult moments.”