EuroLeague Final Four Preview: Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos, Panathinaikos vs. Fenerbahçe
The games will take place on June 15 in Berlin. Real Madrid defends the title, Olympiacos eliminated last year's finalist — Monaco.
EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin: European Giants Battle for the Crown
Today, June 15, 2026, the decisive stage of the EuroLeague — the Final Four — kicks off at the Uber Arena in the German capital. The semifinals will feature Real Madrid against Greek side Olympiacos, and Panathinaikos against Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe. Real Madrid defends the title, Olympiacos eliminated last year's finalist Monaco, and a Greek derby in the final could become a reality.
Berlin, Germany. The Uber Arena, with a capacity of over 14,000 spectators, is ready to host the biggest event in European club basketball. Four teams, 80 minutes of pure game time (or more if overtime is needed), one trophy. The 2025/26 EuroLeague is reaching its climax, and the suspense is at its peak.
Last season, the Final Four was held in Abu Dhabi, where Real Madrid emerged victorious. Now the geography has shifted — the tournament returns to Europe, to a city that has become a true basketball mecca in recent years. The Uber Arena is the home of Berlin's Alba, but for two days it will be the battleground for four giants. A sellout is expected: fans from all over Greece and Turkey have already flooded the city's streets, creating an atmosphere comparable only to the UEFA Champions League final.
Main Event: Quarterfinal Results and the Road to the Final Four
Before discussing the semifinals, it's worth recalling how the teams reached Berlin. The best-of-five quarterfinal series concluded with varying levels of drama.
Real Madrid's Path: The Champion's Confidence
Defending champion Real Madrid dispatched Israel's Hapoel Tel Aviv without much trouble. Los Blancos, who finished third in the regular season, confirmed their status as favorites. The series ended 3-0. In the first two games at home, Real Madrid showed their power: wins of 86-82 and 102-75 left Hapoel playing catch-up. The third game in Tel Aviv only confirmed the Spanish giant's superiority. Madrid is going for a second consecutive title and the 12th in club history — an absolute EuroLeague record.
Olympiacos' Path: Ruthless Demolition of the Runner-Up
The most sensational (or not?) series was between Olympiacos and Monaco. The Greek club, which finished first in the regular season, left no stone unturned from last year's finalist. The score: 3-0.
Monaco approached the playoffs in terrible shape: financial problems that brought the club to the brink of bankruptcy and an epidemic of injuries. The team had only eight players available — without the injured Nikola Mirotić, Daniel Theis, and Alpha Diallo. The second game in Piraeus turned into a rout — 94-64. Sasha Vezenkov, the regular season MVP, scored 21 points, while Evan Fournier (ex-NBA player) added 16 points and 7 assists. The third game in Monaco only confirmed the Greeks' strength — 105-82. Olympiacos reached the Final Four for the fifth consecutive time and is eager to claim its fourth title in history (after 1997, 2012, and 2013).
Panathinaikos and Fenerbahçe's Path: Drama and Comebacks
Now this was intense. Panathinaikos faced Spain's Valencia, and the series turned into a thriller. The Greeks took a 2-0 lead, but the wins were hard-fought: 68-67 in the first game and 107-105 in the second after overtime. Valencia managed to win the third game, extending the series, but in the fourth, Panathinaikos finally put the opponent away.
Fenerbahçe played against Lithuania's Žalgiris Kaunas. The Turks also confidently took the first two games (89-78 and 86-74), but in Lithuania, Žalgiris showed character, cutting the series deficit to 2-1. The fourth game, according to statistics, took place on May 6, and Fenerbahçe managed to close out the series. For them, this is a chance to win the first EuroLeague title in club history — Fener has played in three finals (2016, 2017, 2018) but won only once (2017).
Details and Statistics: Key Numbers of the Semifinalists
Regular Season Comparison 2025/26
| Metric | Olympiacos | Real Madrid | Panathinaikos | Fenerbahçe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Rank | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Wins/Losses | 26-12 | 24-14 | 22-16 | 24-14 |
| Quarterfinal Result | 3-0 (vs Monaco) | 3-0 (vs Hapoel) | 3-1 (vs Valencia) | 3-1 (vs Žalgiris) |
| Top Scorer | Sasha Vezenkov | Facundo Campazzo / Walter Tavares | Kendrick Nunn / Mathias Lessort | Scottie Wilbekin / John Hayes-Davis |
| EuroLeague Titles | 3 (1997, 2012, 2013) | 11 (absolute record) | 7 (last in 2024) | 1 (2017) |
Data based on regular season and quarterfinal statistics.
Historical Meetings: What Do the Numbers Say?
- Real Madrid vs Olympiacos: The opponents have met more than 50 times in the EuroLeague. In recent years, Real Madrid has often dominated in Final Fours, but Olympiacos has always been an uncomfortable rival. This season in the regular season, they are 1-1? No, in this context, it's important that Olympiacos is a team that knows how to kill favorites with its defense.
- Panathinaikos vs Fenerbahçe: Panathinaikos and Fener are also old acquaintances. Their rivalry in the 2010s was classic. Fenerbahçe under Željko Obradović (who is not at the helm now) and Panathinaikos always fought to the death. Currently, the forces are roughly equal.
Context and Significance: Legacy and Records
Real Madrid: Chasing Eternity
Real Madrid is the basketball Galácticos. With monsters like Walter "Tank" Tavares (one of the best centers in the world) and Facundo Campazzo (Argentine wizard), they are the benchmark of the system. Winning this Final Four would give Real Madrid its 12th title. The gap from Panathinaikos (7 titles) and CSKA (8 titles, but currently absent) would become even more embarrassing.
Olympiacos: Mission of Revenge
For Olympiacos, this moment is a chance to redeem themselves for past years. They were the best team in the regular season, demolished Monaco, and now have everything to take the trophy. The roster includes Greek heroes (Vezenkov, Papanikolaou) and French sniper Fournier, who looks like a top-tier star in Europe. If Olympiacos wins the title, it will be a triumph of the Greek basketball system.
A Greek Derby in the Final?
The entire basketball world is holding its breath in anticipation of a possible final: Panathinaikos vs Olympiacos. These are the Eternal Enemies (Derby of the Eternal Enemies). Their matches are not just sport; they are war, religion, and politics. The two clubs from Athens (though Olympiacos is from Piraeus, the port of Athens) hate each other in a way only Greeks can. If they meet in the final in Berlin, it will be the most attended and craziest final in EuroLeague history. Fans of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos will fill the stands, and the German police will have a tough time. For now, they are on opposite sides of the bracket, and for the Greek derby to happen, both teams must win their semifinals.
What's Next / Semifinal Preview: Schedule and Odds
Today, June 15, 2026, Uber Arena, Berlin.
Schedule is approximate (Central European Summer Time / UTC+2), games are played one after another.
| Time (CET) / (MSK) | Match | Bookmaker Prediction | Key Duel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17:00 (18:00 MSK) | Panathinaikos — Fenerbahçe | 50/50 odds, Panathinaikos slight favorite | Lessort / Mitoglou vs Hayes-Davis |
| 20:00 (21:00 MSK) | Real Madrid — Olympiacos | Real Madrid favorite (1.65), Olympiacos underdog (2.25) | Tavares vs Vezenkov / Fall |
The final and third-place game will take place on June 17, 2026.
Editorial Prediction
The intrigue of the first semifinal (Panathinaikos vs Fenerbahçe) lies in the bench depth and experience. Fenerbahçe is a very disciplined Turkish team with excellent shooters. But Panathinaikos is a team built to win here and now. Kendrick Nunn (ex-Lakers) and Mathias Lessort (a wall under the basket) look monstrous. If Panathinaikos imposes its physical style, Fener may lack athleticism.
In the second semifinal (Real Madrid vs Olympiacos), we expect a clash of styles: Spanish technique and tactics against Greek power and defense. Vezenkov vs Tavares — a battle of titans. The key factor will be the backcourt: Campazzo vs Walkup and Fournier. If Olympiacos manages to impose a dirty, slow game with many fouls on Real Madrid, they will win. But Real Madrid is a monster team that grinds down opponents in Final Fours with enviable regularity.
Editorial Prediction: Real Madrid beats Olympiacos in a tight battle (+8 points), and Panathinaikos snatches victory from Fenerbahçe in the final seconds. Final: Real Madrid vs Panathinaikos. And, considering injuries and fatigue, Real Madrid will take its 12th title, beating the Greeks 85-78. However, if Olympiacos gets past Real Madrid, they will win the tournament — so great is their belief in destiny this season.
— Editorial Team
