Thirteen years after their last victory, Olympiacos has once again triumphed in the Euroleague Final Four, holding the prestigious tournament in their home city of Athens. The Greek powerhouse secured their fourth-ever Euroleague title, defeating a resilient Real Madrid side in a nail-biting final. French guard Evan Fournier was deservedly named the Final Four MVP for his outstanding contributions throughout the tournament.
Despite facing significant injury concerns with key players like Walter Tavares and Alex Len, Real Madrid, under Fabien Causeur’s warning about their dangerous underdog status, put up a formidable fight. Trey Lyles was a standout performer for the Spanish team, dropping an impressive 21 points in the first half alone. However, Olympiacos, spurred on by the home crowd and the exceptional play of Fournier, ultimately prevailed with a 92-85 victory.
Fournier, who finished with 20 points and 4 assists, was instrumental in Olympiacos’s comeback. His clutch plays in the latter stages of the game sealed the win and marked the first international title of his career. He was joined in his triumph by teammates Moustapha Fall and Frank Ntilikina. Notably, this victory makes Olympiacos the first team to win the Euroleague title after finishing the regular season in first place since the competition’s revamp into a league format.
The atmosphere in the OAKA arena was electric from the outset, with palpable tension evident from the opening tip-off. An early refereeing decision involving MVP Sasha Vezenkov fueled the crowd’s hostility towards the officials, reflecting the intense pressure of the championship game. Real Madrid made a strong start, with Trey Lyles quickly establishing an early lead for the visitors. However, Vezenkov’s crucial “and-one” plays helped Olympiacos regain momentum.
Despite Real Madrid’s strong offensive performance in the first quarter, with contributions from Lyles, Mario Hezonja, Andres Feliz, and Théo Maledon, Olympiacos began to claw their way back. Coach Georgios Bartzokas’s strategic use of his bench, including impactful performances from Tyson Ward, Cory Joseph, and Alec Peters, proved effective. Evan Fournier then took over, scoring six consecutive points and igniting the Olympiacos offense. His aggressive drives and accurate three-point shooting gave Olympiacos their first lead of the game and a crucial momentum swing heading into halftime. Lyles’s continued scoring kept Real Madrid within striking distance, ending the first half with 21 points.
The second half saw Olympiacos’s bench continue to shine, with Shaquille McKissic opening the third quarter with a three-pointer. However, Real Madrid responded with a strong run, regaining the lead through the efforts of Mario Hezonja and Théo Maledon. The final quarter was a true arm-wrestle, with neither team able to establish a significant lead for an extended period. The score remained incredibly close, with both Fournier and Maledon hitting crucial three-pointers. The game was tied in the final minutes, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
A powerful dunk from Tyrique Jones, assisted by Fournier, gave Olympiacos a narrow lead. Free throws extended their advantage, and they appeared to be in control with less than a minute remaining. However, a late surge from Real Madrid, coupled with an Olympiacos turnover and free throw misses, allowed them to close the gap. A controversial sequence involving Facundo Campazzo nearly provided Real Madrid with an opportunity to equalize, but a missed free throw and subsequent missed shot by Andres Feliz dashed their hopes.
Ultimately, Alec Peters secured the crucial rebound and converted his free throws, sealing Olympiacos’s hard-fought victory. This triumph marks a significant achievement for the club, bringing the Euroleague trophy back to Athens after a 13-year drought and solidifying their place as one of Europe’s elite basketball teams.
