Real Madrid Reach the Final in Athens: Beat Valencia Basket 105-90 — Experience Spoke in the Spanish Derby, Championship Game Against Olympiacos on Sunday, Madrid Chasing 12th Title

Real Madrid advanced to Sunday's championship game by defeating Valencia Basket 105-90 at the Telekom Center Athens in the second semifinal of the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four. In this all-Spanish semifinal, Madrid, the tournament's most successful club with 11 titles, stood out with its experience and roster depth to widen the gap. With this victory, Madrid showed the achievement of reaching the final in the fourth of the last five seasons and moved one step closer to a record 12th EuroLeague title. While the match hosted strong two-way offensive performances, Real Madrid's superiority in the final quarter determined the fate of the game.

The story of the match took shape with both teams putting on a high-tempo, offense-focused game. The match, in which a total of 195 points were produced, reflected the offensive quality of modern EuroLeague basketball. Real Madrid broke Valencia's resistance with its roster capable of producing solutions in critical moments. In the final parts of the match, Madrid's experienced names took the stage to widen the gap to 105-90; particularly the variety and accuracy in offense formed the basis of the Spanish giant's victory. Although Valencia shared the score at times, they could not keep up with Madrid's tempo in the final quarter.

Roster depth and experience were decisive in Real Madrid's victory. Despite the absence of important names like Edy Tavares and Len due to injury, Madrid established superiority over Valencia by preserving its paint and perimeter balance. The team under Sergio Scariolo made the right decisions in critical moments with Facundo Campazzo's playmaking, Mario Hezonja's scoring, and captain Sergio Llull's experience. Madrid proved to be one of the tournament's strongest candidates by maintaining the consistency it showed in semifinals reaching the final this time as well.

Real Madrid's Final Four history increases the significance of this victory. The Spanish side played its 11th semifinal under this format; in seven of them — including the last three consecutive appearances in 2022, 2023, and 2024 — they managed to reach the final. Madrid had also won the semifinals it previously played against Spanish teams (all against Barcelona: 2013, 2014, 2022, and 2023); this time it repeated the same success against Valencia. Madrid, the tournament's most successful club with 11 titles, secured a chance to raise its record to 12 in the final.

On the other side, the historic Final Four adventure ended in the semifinal for Valencia Basket. The Taronja side under Pedro Martínez had reached the final stage of Europe's most prestigious club tournament for the first time in their history. Valencia had come to this stage by overturning the series in which they fell 0-2 behind against Panathinaikos in the quarterfinals to win 3-2, signing one of the season's most striking comeback stories. Although the young side led by playoff MVP Jean Montero was eliminated in the face of Madrid's experience in the semifinal, they delivered a performance far beyond expectations this season.

Valencia's journey this season carries promising signals for the club's future. The Taronja side, reaching the Final Four for the first time, drew attention all season with disciplined team play and defensive intensity. The Dominican-born young playmaker Jean Montero starred by both being named playoff MVP and entering the All-EuroLeague First Team in the regular season (the first player in Valencia history to win this honor). Despite the defeat in the semifinal, Valencia sees this Final Four experience as a valuable gain for the future.

Real Madrid will now face Olympiacos in the championship game to be played on Sunday, May 24. Olympiacos, who defeated Fenerbahce Beko 79-61 in the first semifinal, had reached the final with home advantage and strong defense. This will be a final matchup that will be repeated once again in EuroLeague history between two giants — Madrid and Olympiacos also met in the 2023 final, and Real Madrid won that game to raise its record 11th title. Now the two teams will face each other again in Athens for glory.

This final will once again bring one of EuroLeague history's most rooted rivalries to the stage. On one side, Real Madrid, the tournament's most successful club with 11 titles, and on the other, Olympiacos, who have home advantage behind them and are after their first title since 2013. Madrid's experience and roster depth, and Olympiacos's fan support and defensive power in Athens, will turn the final into a two-way battle. The basketball world is awaiting this big final to be played at the Telekom Center Athens on Sunday night with bated breath — Europe's new champion will be determined in this giant encounter.