Olympiacos Reach the Final in Athens: Beat Fenerbahce Beko 79-61 — Held the Defending Champions to 61 Points with a Defensive Masterclass, Piraeus Side One Step from First Title Since 2013

Olympiacos advanced to Sunday's championship game by defeating Fenerbahce Beko 79-61 at the Telekom Center Athens in the opening semifinal of the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four. The Piraeus side, who finished the season as leaders and were practically at home in Athens, took a critical step toward reaching their first EuroLeague title since 2013 by eliminating last year's European champions with a clear 18-point margin. This victory reignited Olympiacos's hope of finally playing for the top after reaching the Final Four for five consecutive years.The story of the match was hidden in Olympiacos's defensive dominance. Although the Piraeus side were Europe's most productive team in offense throughout the season (averaging 90.7 points per game), this time they created the real difference on defense. Holding last season's champions Fenerbahce Beko to just 61 points is an extraordinary defensive achievement in modern EuroLeague basketball. Olympiacos's pressing defense constantly disrupted the Istanbul side's offensive organization and did not allow them to find rhythm. This was the fundamental dynamic behind the 79-61 score.Olympiacos's Final Four history makes the significance of this victory even greater. The Piraeus side had reached the final stage of Europe's most prestigious club tournament for the fifth consecutive time; however, in the previous four attempts they had reached the final only once and lost that final. According to Olympiacos.com data, the team had dominated the EuroLeague this season in scoring (90.7), assists (21.7), and team PIR (efficiency) average (110.5). This deep and experienced roster led by two-time EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov is living one of the moments closest to the trophy.Coming into the match after sweeping AS Monaco 3-0 in the quarterfinals, Olympiacos were in fine form. The Piraeus side had completed the series with a 105-82 away win after clear home victories of 91-70 and 94-64 in the Monaco series. This dominant performance allowed the team to come to the Final Four with high confidence. Reflecting the same determination on the court in this semifinal in Athens, Olympiacos established superiority over their opponent by using the advantage of the home atmosphere.On the other side, the tournament ended in disappointment for last year's champions Fenerbahce Beko. The Istanbul side, under Šarūnas Jašikevičius, had come to Athens for a second consecutive EuroLeague title. Fenerbahce, who stayed at the top of the league for a long time throughout the season and drew a stable picture, had reached the Final Four by eliminating Žalgiris Kaunas 3-1 in a tough series in the quarterfinals — closing the fourth game in Kaunas in particular with a 94-90 overtime victory. However, the Istanbul side, unable to break through Olympiacos's defensive wall in the semifinal, lost the chance to defend their title.Although the low-scoring course of the match reflected the defensive quality of both teams, the real determinant was Olympiacos's organization that paralyzed the Fenerbahce offense. The Istanbul side remaining at 61 points was a performance well below their season averages (around 82 points). Olympiacos disrupted Fenerbahce's rhythm with both paint dominance and perimeter defense. This defense-focused triumph became proof that the Piraeus side can play for the championship not only with offensive power but also with two-way balance.Olympiacos will now face the winner of the matchup between Valencia Basket and Real Madrid from the other semifinal in the championship game to be played on Sunday, May 24. For the Piraeus side, this final means an opportunity to end the title drought that has continued since 2013. The home atmosphere in Athens will provide Olympiacos with a great advantage in the final as well. The team's two-way dominance this season and defensive performance at the Final Four make them the strongest candidate for the trophy.This victory also brings to the agenda a notable statistic in EuroLeague history: no number one seed has been able to become champion since 2016-17. Olympiacos, who finished the season as leaders, would also break this streak if they win the final. The Piraeus side's deep roster, experience, and fan support in Athens have brought them one step closer to a historic achievement. Now eyes have turned to the big final on May 24 — Olympiacos are on the verge of ending a 13-year wait.