The nickname “Chess Player” has followed Georgios Bartzokas for years, who is now considered one of the top coaches in European basketball.

Tonight at 21:00 (Novasports Prime, live on protothema.gr), in the EuroLeague Final Four grand final held at the Telecom Center in Athens, Olympiacos faces Real Madrid, and it is the perfect moment for the Piraeus coach to justify his nickname by making “checkmate” against the “Queen”, with the goal of the Reds climbing back onto the throne of European basketball after 13 years.

Fate has brought it so that the Piraeus club is competing for the title against the same team they faced in their last winning final. In 2013, Olympiacos defeated Real in London 100–88, in one of Vassilis Spanoulis’ greatest performances in a red-and-white jersey.

“Lernaean Hydra” in red and white

On Friday night, Olympiacos looked fully prepared in their semifinal against Fenerbahçe, taking the first of the two steps needed toward the coveted EuroLeague trophy. Georgios Bartzokas’ team once again produced unexpected protagonists, as whatever trick Sarunas Jasikevicius tried to use, the Piraeus side immediately found answers through different players. Tyler Dorsey carried the scoring early, Sasha Vezenkov stepped up, Alec Peters “pulled rabbits out of the hat” with 17 points and 7/7 shooting, while Evan Fournier hit crucial shots to prevent Fenerbahçe from having any real hope until the end.

Now for the final, Georgios Bartzokas has all his players available except the unfortunate long-term absentee Keenan Evans, and it remains to be seen who he will choose for the final 12-man roster. In Friday’s semifinal, the Greek coach left out Ntilikina, Morris, Larentzakis, and Fall.

Kostas Papanikolaou said at yesterday’s media day on protothema that playing in this arena is an extra motivation, but the title itself provides enough drive:

“My feelings haven’t changed compared to two days ago or before the Final Four. I feel confident because that’s what this team inspires in me. We’ve worked very hard all season, we’ve put in a huge effort, and I believe we are all at the level of readiness needed for the final.”

Regarding the home court advantage, which is usually hostile but this time supportive, he said:

“We are not thinking about anything outside the lines, only what happens on the court, where the title is decided. That is our primary goal. Playing here is an extra motivation, but the title itself says everything.”

Later, Sasha Vezenkov stressed the importance of the final, stating that luck is in their own hands and they do not need any “divine help”.

Injured “Queen”

On the other side, Real Madrid reached the final after winning the Spanish derby against Valencia in their semifinal. Sergio Scariolo’s team led throughout the match, handled the opponent’s fast pace, and eventually won 105–90.

Despite playing without injured Walter Tavares and Serge Ibaka, and also losing Usman Garuba at the start of the fourth quarter, Real was not affected, showed character, and secured the victory, with standout performances from Hezonja (25 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast), Lyles (17 pts, 7 reb), Deck (16 pts, 8 reb), Feliz (15 pts), and Campazzo (8 pts, 8 ast). Thus, they are one step away from becoming European champions for the 12th time in their history.

In terms of squad news, Scariolo must find solutions given the three major absences he has in the center position. Kramer remains out of rotation, while Yurtseven, who joined a few days ago, is not eligible to play.

History of Olympiacos–Real Madrid finals

Olympiacos and Real Madrid have met four times in EuroLeague finals:

• 1995 in Zaragoza, Real won 73–61
• 2013 in London, Olympiacos won 100–88
• 2015 in Madrid, Real won 78–59
• 2023 in Kaunas, Real won 79–78 thanks to Sergio Llull’s incredible basket 3.2 seconds before the end

In their meetings this season, Real won 89–77 in Madrid, and Olympiacos won 102–88 at SEF. The two teams also met in last year’s EuroLeague playoffs, where Olympiacos won the series 3–1 and advanced to the Final Four held in Abu Dhabi.

How fans will travel for the final at OAKA

The EuroLeague Final Four final between Olympiacos and Real Madrid will take place today, Sunday 24 May, at the OAKA stadium, under strict security measures and organized transportation plans. The Greek Police (EL.AS.) issued updated instructions regarding meeting points, arrival times, and transport arrangements, while traffic regulations are also being implemented.

The game will start at 21:00 at the “TELEKOM CENTER ATHENS” (OAKA), but stadium gates will open at 15:00, as the youth final is scheduled for 18:00.

Olympiacos fans must gather at 17:00 at the ISAP train station “Faliro”. From there, special trains will depart at 18:00 heading directly to “Irini” station at OAKA without intermediate stops.

According to STASY, “Faliro” station will operate exclusively for transporting fans to OAKA, and other trains on Line 1 will pass through without stopping.

Transport will be conducted under police escort and with complete separation of rival fans.

Real Madrid fans will gather at 16:00 at the Panathenaic Stadium and will then be transported by buses to OAKA under organized routes and continuous police supervision.

Police emphasize that entry will not be allowed to gathering points or the stadium without a personalized ticket and valid ID or passport matching the ticket details.

Any violation will result in immediate denial of entry and legal action.

Authorities urge fans to arrive early, follow instructions, and avoid approaching the stadium without proper documentation. Security measures will be applied “universally, strictly, and without exceptions.”