By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The 21st of May 2023 will mark the fourth time in total, in which Olympiacos will face Real Madrid in a EuroLeague Final.
It all started in 1995 and almost 30 years ago, the score between the two European powerhouses in titles is 2-1 in favor of Real Madrid and 1-1 in the modern EuroLeague era.
It has to be noted that both wins of Real Madrid over Olympiacos have been registered so far only on Spanish soil.
Real Madrid – Olympiacos 73-61 (Zaragoza, 1995)
The EuroLeague was officially called at the time “European Champions Cup”, EuroLeague basketball as an organization didn’t exist at that point and the final between Real Madrid and Olympiacos included some very familiar names to basketball fans all over the world.
After beating Panathinaikos in the semifinal (58-53), Olympiacos led at the time by current Phoenix Suns commentator Eddie Johnson and Ukrainian legend Alexander Volkov faced Zeljko Obradovic‘s Real Madrid in the final, which got 23 points by Arvydas Sabonis and 16 by current EuroLeague commentator Joe Arlauckas.
Sabas was of course named MVP and legend has it that Olympiacos had the chance to sign him before Real Madrid, but Greek coach Giannis Ioannidis didn’t complete the deal due to fear of the injury woes on Sabonis’ knees. Sabonis ended up leaving Europe in the summer of 1995 despite being past his prime for the NBA and the Portland Trail Blazers.