Olympiacos Defeats Real Madrid in EuroLeague Final — 78:71
Greek club sensationally wins the most prestigious tournament in the Old World in Berlin. Playmaker Thomas Walkup, who scored 22 points, was named Final MVP.
Olympiacos sensationally defeated Real Madrid in the EuroLeague final — 92:85
Main Event
On Saturday, May 23, 2026, a sensation occurred at the Telekom Center in Athens that will long remain in the history of European basketball. Greek club Olympiacos dramatically defeated Real Madrid 92:85 in the EuroLeague final, becoming the strongest club on the continent for the fourth time in its history. The "Royal Club," considered the overwhelming favorite and chasing its 12th title, was forced to capitulate to the pressure of the home team and the insane support from the stands.
The match began with a powerful surge from the Spanish team. Real Madrid dictated terms from the first minutes: excellent long-range shooting and tight defense allowed the Madrid side to lead 15:3 by the 4th minute. Trey Lyles, who would become the game's top scorer with 24 points, was unstoppable in the first quarter, hitting from the most improbable positions. The first period ended 19:26 in favor of Real Madrid, and it seemed the Spanish giant was confidently heading for its trophy.
However, Olympiacos, spurred on by 18,000 of their fans filling the Athens arena, had no intention of giving up. Evan Fournier began to tear apart the second quarter — the French guard, who joined the Greek club before the season, delivered a stretch of 11 consecutive points and completely turned the game around. Thanks to his efforts and the steady play of Sasha Vezenkov, the Greeks not only erased the deficit but also took the lead — 46:44 at halftime.
The second half turned into a seesaw battle. Real Madrid regained the initiative in the third quarter with a 10:0 run, leading 60:54. The Madrid side looked fresher and more experienced, but Olympiacos fought for every ball. The final 10 minutes became a real basketball thriller. At 70:71 in favor of Real Madrid, Olympiacos' Bulgarian import Sasha Vezenkov calmly hit a three-pointer, returning the lead to the hosts — 73:71. From that moment, the Greeks never let go of the advantage, although the Spaniards desperately tried to save the match.
The climax came in the final seconds. With 36 seconds left on the clock, Olympiacos led 88:80, but a series of nervous turnovers nearly cost the Greeks the championship. Real Madrid cut the deficit to three points (88:85), and then Andrés Feliz had a chance to tie the game, but his three-point attempt was off the mark. Alec Peters grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made his free throws to set the final score at 92:85, after which the arena erupted in joy.
Details and Statistics
The final whistle recorded a score of 92:85, reflecting not just a victory but complete tactical superiority of Olympiacos in key components of the game. The main reason for the Greeks' triumph was total dominance on the boards. Olympiacos grabbed 42 rebounds to Real Madrid's 26, with 12 of them on the offensive glass. Second-chance points, which the Greeks regularly converted, became the weapon against which Sergio Scariolo's men had no antidote.
The individual statistics of the game's heroes are impressive. The best for Olympiacos was Evan Fournier, who scored 20 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished 4 assists. The Frenchman, often criticized for inconsistency, delivered a perfect game at the most crucial moment — he made 3 three-pointers and 5 of 5 free throws. Alec Peters recorded a double-double of 16 points and 7 rebounds, becoming the second offensive force. Sasha Vezenkov added 12 points and 4 rebounds, while Thomas Walkup (despite some sources listing his final numbers as more modest — 10 points) was named Final Four MVP for his role as playmaker and team leader throughout the tournament.
On Real Madrid's side, Trey Lyles played perhaps the best game of his career, scoring 24 points (5 of 6 from three-point range!) and grabbing 8 rebounds. Mario Hezonja was also good — 19 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals. However, this was not enough to compensate for the poor performance of the others. Facundo Campazzo, the brain of the "Whites'" offense, scored only 5 points on low shooting percentages, and Sergio Llull, coming off the bench, managed just three points.
Free throw shooting was another factor tipping the scales in favor of the hosts. Olympiacos made 22 of 27 attempts (81.5%), while Real Madrid made only 12 of 18 (66.7%). In the closing stages, when every mistake was fatal, it was the Greeks who showed composure at the line. It is also worth noting that Olympiacos seized the initiative in the fourth quarter, winning it 31:20, confirming the team's better physical condition and the coaching staff's correct tactical decisions.
Context and Significance
For Olympiacos, this title is historic. The Greek club has reached the pinnacle of European basketball for the fourth time in its history, repeating the successes of 1997, 2012, and 2013. For a country that loves basketball, defeating the archrival and giant Real Madrid in the final is not just a sporting triumph but a national event. Piraeus fans filled the streets, and celebrations lasted all night.
The Greeks' path to the trophy was rocky. On the way to the final, they eliminated the reigning champion, Turkish club Fenerbahçe (79:61), which already made experts talk about the return of the "Red-and-Whites" to the top level. In the absence of injured center Moustapha Fall, who was sidelined mid-season, coach Georgios Bartzokas had to restructure the game. The team relied on mobility, American guard Nigel Williams-Goss, and the experience of European veterans.
For Real Madrid, this defeat was a painful blow, especially given how the match unfolded. Losing center Edy Tavares (who did not take the court due to an earlier injury), the Madrid side could not cope with the pressure and the opponent's uncomfortable style of play. Coach Sergio Scariolo, who led the team to EuroLeague victory last season, could not find counterarguments against the aggressive press and Greek dominance in the paint. This defeat ended Real Madrid's successful run in the EuroLeague, where the Spaniards had dominated for the last three years.
Olympiacos' success is also valuable because it was achieved on home soil. Although the Telekom Center is a neutral venue for the final, the advantage of Greek crowd support was enormous. It was the 14th player — the stands — that became the factor that broke Real Madrid at the crucial moment. This homecoming was sweet for Greek basketball, which had experienced tough times due to economic problems in recent years.
What's Next / Next Match Preview
The European basketball season is officially over. Olympiacos heads into a well-deserved vacation to celebrate the title. However, the club's management is already thinking about keeping the championship squad. The contracts of Evan Fournier and Thomas Walkup, who became team leaders, expire at the end of the season, and fans hope management can persuade them to stay.
Real Madrid faces serious work on its mistakes. The final defeat exposed problems in center rotation and the team's dependence on the three-point shot. Most likely, in the summer of 2026, we will see a number of changes in the "Whites'" roster. The club will actively work in the transfer market, trying to sign a powerful center to storm the European Olympus again next season.
The next EuroLeague season 2026/27 will traditionally start in October. Additionally, the winner earned the right to play in the Basketball Club World Cup, whose new format will begin next year. However, the immediate goal for Olympiacos is the replay for the European Super Cup, where they will face the EuroCup winner, if the tournament regulations remain.
Right now, both clubs are beginning preparations for the new season. For Olympiacos, this triumph is a chance to change the economic model and attract new sponsors; for Real Madrid, it is a reason for serious personnel decisions. For now, Greek Piraeus is basking in the glory, awaiting the return of its heroes who gave the club its first trophy in 13 years.
Editorial Forecast
Olympiacos' victory is not just a fluke. It is the result of smart management, patience, and belief in the players. Analyzing the course of the match, it becomes clear that the Greeks methodically prepared for this final, neutralizing Real Madrid's strengths. Despite many predicting a win for the "Royal Club," Olympiacos managed to impose its game — fast and tough basketball.
The next season will be a test of strength for the "Red-and-Whites." Can Bartzokas' team repeat the success or fall victim to the "champion's syndrome"? Judging by how they went through the playoffs, this is far from a one-time spark. The roster consists of hungry players who have just tasted the sweetness of victory, and they will strive for new records.
As for Real Madrid, the Spaniards need to change their approach. The team's dependence on the mood of its leaders has become too obvious. If Lyles or Hezonja's shots weren't falling (as happened with Campazzo in the final), the team lost the thread of the game. Given the age of veterans and injuries to key players, Scariolo faces a difficult year of roster rotation.
The editorial board believes that the end of the 2025/26 season marked a change of eras. Olympiacos brought the giants of European basketball back to reality: money and experience are important, but without heart and fan support, even Real Madrid can lose. In the next season, we expect to see even more competitive battles, where Olympiacos will be one of the main favorites alongside Spanish and Turkish clubs.
— Editorial Team
