The EuroLeague Final Four tournament is the ultimate crucible of European basketball, and no fixture embodies its drama, tradition, and high stakes better than the recurring battle between Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid Baloncesto. This is a clash of European titans: the financially dominant Spanish royal club, rooted in global sporting excellence, against the fiercely determined Greek giants, powered by a fervent, fortress-mentality fan base. When these two powerhouses meet, it is not merely a game; it is a chapter in an evolving saga of historical asymmetry and unforgettable, dramatic finishes.
While both clubs possess rich histories stretching back decades, their modern rivalry was cemented by a series of tense, winner-take-all finals. The 2013 EuroLeague Final in London served as a landmark moment. Real Madrid, the favourites, held a seemingly insurmountable $17$-point lead in the second quarter. However, the Olympiacos team, led by legendary players and a suffocating defensive strategy, orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in the tournament's history, stunning Madrid with an $86-67$ victory to claim the trophy. This contest defined the modern narrative: Real Madrid represented dazzling talent, while Olympiacos embodied grit, resilience, and tactical teamwork.
The $2023$ Final: A Decisive Moment of Drama
The rivalry reached a fever pitch during the 2023 Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania. This was arguably the most anticipated matchup of the modern era, pitting a rejuvenated Olympiacos—who had dominated the regular season—against a Real Madrid side that had endured injuries and barely scraped into the playoffs before mounting a stunning resurgence.
The game was a tactical masterpiece, remaining neck-and-neck throughout. Olympiacos, under coach Georgios Bartzokas, leaned heavily on their structured team offense, patiently running sets to find open perimeter shots, utilizing the talents of their star player and floor general. Defensively, they sought to disrupt Madrid’s individualistic brilliance, particularly focusing on slowing down the opposition's veteran guards.
Real Madrid, conversely, relied on their deep roster and the unwavering composure of their institutional legends. The decisive sequence of the game perfectly encapsulated the rivalry's drama. With the score tied and mere seconds remaining, all eyes were on the key offensive players. Instead, it was $35$-year-old guard Sergio Llull, a player who had spent his entire career in Madrid and was known for his clutch shooting, who delivered the definitive blow. Llull received the ball, drove toward the baseline, and launched a contested fadeaway jumper that kissed the glass and dropped through the net with $3.1$ seconds left on the clock. The shot—a moment of individual genius born from decades of high-pressure experience—gave Real Madrid the $79-78$ victory and their $11^{th}$ EuroLeague title.
Tactical Philosophies and Enduring Legacy
The $2023$ final wasn't just decided by a single shot; it was the culmination of contrasting tactical philosophies. Olympiacos had demonstrated impeccable offensive efficiency throughout the season, relying on ball movement and shared scoring loads. Their structure was built for consistency. Real Madrid, however, possessed the ultimate asymmetrical weapon: the ability of star players—especially veterans like Llull and Rudy Fernández—to manufacture points from seemingly impossible positions when the structured offense breaks down. They are a team built for the chaotic, high-stakes environment of a single-game final.
For Olympiacos, the loss was heartbreaking but also a validation of their return to European basketball’s elite level. For Real Madrid, the trophy was a testament to the enduring value of experience and the club's unwavering belief in its established leaders. The fixture guarantees high-octane excitement because both teams are tactically and culturally diametrically opposed, yet equally capable of moments of magic. The next time The Royal meets The Reds in a final, the history will be palpable, and the drama will be guaranteed to be just as intense.
