PIRAEUS, Greece — April 23, 2025: Olympiacos kicked off their Euroleague quarterfinal campaign with a commanding 84–72 victory over defending champions Real Madrid on Tuesday night, seizing a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
In front of a packed crowd at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus, Bulgarian star Aleksandar Vezenkov delivered a masterclass performance that reaffirmed his elite status in European basketball.
The 2023 Euroleague MVP was in dominant form, finishing the game with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals in just 27 minutes on the floor.
Vezenkov’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, going 5-for-7 from mid-range, 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, and converting 4 of 6 free throws.
His all-around impact earned him the Player of the Match honors and reignited conversations about this season’s MVP decision, which controversially went to Kendrick Nunn of Panathinaikos.
While Nunn had a quieter night in his team’s narrow 87–83 win over Anadolu Efes, Vezenkov’s performance against the reigning champions reminded fans and pundits alike of his importance to Olympiacos’ title ambitions.
Olympiacos stormed out of the gates with intensity and discipline, building a commanding 47–29 lead by halftime. Their defensive pressure disrupted Real Madrid’s rhythm early, and they capitalized on turnovers and fast breaks to take control of the game.
Although the Spanish giants attempted to rally in the second half, closing the gap to single digits at one point, the hosts held their nerve and executed well in the closing stages to seal the win.
“We came out with great energy, and everyone played their part,” Vezenkov said after the game. “It’s always special to play at home, and tonight we gave our fans something to cheer about. But this is just one game. We need to stay focused.”
Supporting Vezenkov’s offensive brilliance was French guard Evan Fournier, who contributed 13 points, while Serbian center Nikola Milutinov added 11 points and 8 rebounds, providing strength in the paint. Kostas Sloukas also orchestrated the offense with poise, dishing out key assists during crucial moments.
For Real Madrid, veteran guard Sergio Llull led the scoring with 16 points. Mario Hezonja added 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, while Dzanan Musa chipped in with 11. However, the Spanish side struggled to match Olympiacos’ physicality and pace, particularly in the first half.
Head coach Chus Mateo acknowledged his team’s slow start. “We allowed them to dictate the tempo early, and against a team like Olympiacos, that’s a mistake. We’ll need to respond in Game 2.”
Game 2 of the series will be held again in Greece on Thursday, April 25. Olympiacos will look to extend their advantage, while Real Madrid will be eager to bounce back and level the series before it shifts to Spain.
With momentum on their side and Vezenkov in top form, Olympiacos have made a strong statement — they are ready to challenge for the Euroleague crown once again.