Real Madrid vs Olympiacos

Olympiacos will host Real Madrid in Game 2 of their EuroLeague playoff quarter-final clash, holding a 1-0 series lead after a strong victory in the opening game. Here’s what to expect in the next matchup.

Game 1 Recap: Dominant Olympiacos Take Control

Olympiacos delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday, defeating Real Madrid 84-72. After tying the game early (2-2), they never trailed again, going on a 12-2 run to close the first quarter 27-14.

By halftime, Georgios Bartzokas’ squad extended their lead to 47-29, continuing their perfect record against Madrid this season (3-0). Sasha Vezenkov, a strong MVP contender, led all scorers with 23 points and 7 rebounds—the only player to surpass 16 points in the game.

Despite shooting 49% from the field, Olympiacos struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 of 27 three-point attempts. Real Madrid fared slightly better from deep but were plagued by 19 turnovers, which proved costly.

Real Madrid fell 77-71 to Olympiacos on the road, marking their second straight loss to the same team in a brief span. This leaves Chus Mateo’s squad at 0-2 in the EuroLeague quarterfinal series, a situation they faced two years ago against Partizan. Back then, they staged a comeback, but Olympiacos presents a tougher challenge, even with two home games upcoming.

The game started strongly for Real Madrid, who led 25-15 after the first quarter in Greece. However, their momentum faded quickly. A switch to a 2-3 zone defense, often used in critical moments, proved ineffective. Olympiacos’ shooters, particularly Alec Peters, delivered key shots, with Peters’ late three-pointer sealing Real Madrid’s fate despite a fleeting chance for a comeback.

Olympiacos now holds a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, positioning them well to secure a Final Four berth with three match points remaining. While the road ahead in Madrid will be challenging for Georgios Bartzokas’ team, a European title, narrowly missed in recent years, feels within reach.

Despite a modest 9-for-32 three-point shooting performance, Olympiacos shone in clutch moments. Nikola Milutinov earned MVP honors with 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists, outplaying Real Madrid’s Edy Tavares, who was hampered by fouls. Milutinov’s presence gave Olympiacos a +20 rating, underscoring their dominance in the paint.