Olympiakos captured the 2026 EuroLeague title on Sunday night in Athens, defeating Real Madrid 92-85 in a dramatic championship game that ended a thirteen-year wait for continental glory.
It could have gone very differently.
A nightmare opening
Olympiakos fell behind 15-3 in the opening four minutes. The Telekom Center went quiet. Bartzokas called timeout. Whatever he said in that huddle, it worked — because the team that came back out was barely recognisable.
Fournier turned the game
Former NBA guard Evan Fournier sparked the comeback with an 11-point burst in the second quarter, almost single-handedly flipping the scoreboard. By halftime, Olympiakos led 46-44 — a 20-point swing from the lowest point of their evening.
Fournier was later named the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four MVP and deserved every vote.
Peters sealed it
Alec Peters hit the final free throw to secure the crown. “Blessed is the only word I have,” the American-born forward said. “After four years of blood, sweat and tears with this group, it’s hard to describe how I feel.”
Real Madrid’s heartbreak
Madrid took to the floor without Tavares, Len, and Garuba — a brutal set of absences for any European final. They had a three-pointer to tie the game with 11 seconds left. It didn’t fall. Lyles led their scoring with 24 points and a PIR of 30 — one of the finest individual performances on the losing side you’ll see in a final.
Athens erupted
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo watched from the stands alongside Oscar-nominated director Yorgos Lanthimos. Moments after the buzzer, celebrations exploded across the Greek capital. Thousands packed the main square at the port of Piraeus, dancing, waving red flags and lighting flares well into the night.
Olympiakos won it at home, in front of their people. That doesn’t happen very often in sport.
WE ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!!! 🔴⚪🏆#OlympiacosBC #EuropeanChampions #WeAreOlympiacos #TogetherWeFight #Champions pic.twitter.com/1y5fs2pteM
— Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) May 24, 2026
