When Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid meet in Sunday's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game, it will mark the fourth time that these teams duel for the continental crown. That will tie for the most repeated EuroLeague final ever. 

Varese and Real previously challenged each other four times for the EuroLeague crown. Varese made it to 10 consecutive finals from 1970 to 1979 and four of them were against Real. Ignis defeated Los Blancos in 1975 and 1976. Los Blancos prevailed in 1974 and 1978.

Real and Olympiacos first faced each other in the 1995 EuroLeague Championship Game. Olympiacos came off a heartbreaking loss against Joventut Badalona in the 1994 Championship Game and Real had made it to the 1993 Final Four as the heavy favorite before falling against Limoges CSP in the semifinals. Real topped Olympiacos 73-61 in Zaragoza, Spain behind 23 points from Arvydas Sabonis, who was named the 1995 Final Four MVP: Joe Arlauckas added 16. Aleksandar Volkov and Franko Nakic led the Reds with 15 points apiece. 

These two teams had to wait for 18 years until they met again in the EuroLeague Championship Game. In 2013, Real ran out to a strong start and led 10-27 at the end of the first quarter. *Los Blancos* were still ahead, 37-41, at halftime after holding superstar guard Vassilis Spanoulis scoreless up to that point. Spanoulis erupted for all of his 22 points in the second half to earn Final Four MVP honors. Acie Law added 20 as Olympiacos ended up beating Real 100-88 in London. Rudy Fernandez led Real with 21 points. It was Real's first appearance in the championship game since lifting the trophy in 1995. Olympiacos successfully defended the EuroLeague title it won in Istanbul a year earlier. 

Their third matchup for the EuroLeague crown came in Madrid. It was Real's third consecutive final and it had all it needed to challenge for the crown. Real led 35-28 at halftime but Olympiacos used a 0-12 third-quarter run to take a 40-41 lead. That's when Jaycee Carroll took over with 11 straight points and *Los Blancos* never looked back. 

Real outscored Olympiacos 38-18 over the final 14 minutes to claim the historic victory. Carroll led the winners with 16 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting. Final Four MVP Andres Nocioni contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds. 

The 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game should be another brilliant chapter in this already legendary sports rivalry that only gets better and better.

Olympiacos vs. Real Madrid: when greatness is a habit

Olympiacos Piraeus v Real Madrid (2023-05-21T17:00:00.000Z)

While Saturday's activities at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone featured plenty of jerseys of the four teams competing in the Final Four, one color could not be missed: the green of Zalgiris Kaunas. Kazys Maksvytis's team may have lost to FC Barcelona in the playoffs, but Zalgiris has enjoyed a strong presence throughout this Final Four, all thanks to its devoted fans.

Speaking with Euroleague.net at the FanZone, three fans who were proudly donning the green of Zalgiris – and one who had the green of Lithuania – discussed what it means to have the Final Four in Kaunas, as well as which teams the city has been getting behind.

"\[It's been\] amazing," said one Zalgiris fan, before his friend jumped in with: "\[It's been\] awesome. The whole city is alive. It's the first time that we are seeing this big event. It's super awesome."

Another Zalgiris supporter, who took part in the 3x3 tournament, also offered his thoughts on the Final Four and the FanZone: "It's amazing. I like it very much. All these entertainments, the 3x3 tournament, I like it very much. It's the first that it has happened in Kaunas, so that fact is just amazing. I just like to see the different teams' fans, how they support their teams, because we don't see that very much."

The atmosphere in Kaunas has been electric for some days now and, for one local Zalgiris fan, it has been a great experience. "Amazing, I really like it here \[at the FanZone\]," she noted. "I like the atmosphere and the people. Very cool. There's many more people here, lots of events, lots of changes in this square."

Given that Zalgiris didn’t make it to the Final Four, many people adopted Barca as their team, given that head coach Saras Jasikevicius – a hometown hero – and Rokas Jokubaitis are both Lithuanian and have their respective histories with Zalgiris. However, following Barca's defeat to Real Madrid in the semifinals, they have now switched their allegiance to Olympiacos Piraeus.

"We wanted Saras to win, Barca to win, but now, it's Olympiacos," said the Zalgiris fan. "Awesome Greek fans, a lot of noise. Super cool atmosphere," commented the fan in a Lithuania jersey.

So, will Olympiacos now be the team of Kaunas in Sunday's championship game? "Yeah, definitely, because we have a mutual hatred of Real Madrid," stated the fan in the Lithuania colors. "I supported Barcelona, so I'm a bit sad about that," commented the female Zalgiris supporter. "I think \[the people of Kaunas will support\] Olympiacos. "I will support Olympiacos, too."

Zalgiris fans at the Fan Zone

Kaunas (and Zalgiris) pride on show at the FanZone

Reaching the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania, has proved to be a rather tricky task for many fans with plenty of supporters having to get connecting flights or arrive in nearby Vilnius. Yet, very few will travel the distance that Pablo Zonis has travelled. He has come all the way from Gualeguaychu, Argentina.

From Argentina to Kaunas: One fan's passion for basketball reaches the Final Four

Reaching the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Kaunas, Lithuania, has proved to be a rather tricky task for many fans, with plenty of supporters having to get connecting flights or arrive in nearby Vilnius. Yet, very few will travel the distance that [Pablo Zonis](https://www.instagram.com/pablo__zonis/) has travelled. He has come all the way from Gualeguaychu, Argentina.

Pablo was seen proudly donning an Argentina soccer jersey at the EuroLeague FanZone and speaking with a wide number of fans, most of whom took photos with a flag that he brought that read: 'Racing Club, Gualeguaychu present'.

Later in the day, Pablo changed his Argentina jersey for a Racing Club de Gualeguaychu basketball jersey, the team he supports back in Argentina, as he got into the festivities even more. In potentially a first, Racing Club and Gualeguaychu are present at the Final Four.

Speaking with [EuroleagueBasketball.net](http://EuroleagueBasketball.net) at the FanZone, Pablo discussed what he knows about the Final Four. "It's my first Final Four, it's a tournament that I like a lot," he stated. "I've watched it for many years and, when I decided back in January to go on holiday to Europe \[this summer\], I thought that I'd come to the Final Four.

"It's a tournament that, at the FIBA level, is the best that there is. It's a very beautiful tournament. In Argentina, it's followed a lot, it's a beautiful tournament and, in our case in particular, it's to follow Nicolas Laprovittola in Barcelona, of whom I am a fan."

But, after speaking a little more with Pablo, it became clear that this is a guy who lives and breathes basketball. Perhaps a giveaway would have been his Racing Club jersey! When asked about which other basketball tournaments he had been to, Pablo began to reel off tournament after tournament:

"I've been to the World Cup in Spain in 2014, the World Cup in China in 2019, where Argentina tried to become the champion against Spain, but we lost in the final, as well as the NBA, the AmeriCup. I'm a big fan of basketball."

Yet, he was missing one major basketball event: the EuroLeague Final Four. Pablo commented afterward that he is surely the only person who has made this trip from Argentina to Kaunas, but this is what the Final Four does – it brings people together from all over the world.

The Adidas Media Game is a tradition at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. While the scribes who report on the games all season long revel in the chance to lace up their sneakers and compete at Zalgirio Arena on the same floor that will crown a continental crown the following day, the game is played before closed doors and their adoring fans are unable to follow.

Fortunately, we sent a scout to watch the game and share his thoughts on what became a one-sided game in which the Blue Team, coached by Sofoklis Schortsanitis, overpowered Coach Jonas Kazlauskas's White Team 27-42.

Dora Panteli is a beast on the boards and has excellent court vision, dishing a team-high 4 assists. She should not be underestimated.

Coach Schortsanitis's coaching methods may be unorthodox, but you cannot argue with the result. After leading the Blue Team to a convincing win, Big Sofo may be ready for a promotion.

Brian Bosche proved to everyone that there is still a place for underhand free throws in competitive basketball by going 2 for 2 from the line. He also missed 2 free throws later, but he looked good doing it.

David Rivers's defense has not improved with age, but he can still pass the ball.

Rupert Fabig is my choice for the Javier Gancedo MVP award for the game. He was outstanding with 15 points for the winners and made 1 of the game's 2 three-pointers.

Aleksander Lilov stood out for the Whites with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 6 minutes. He deserved more playing time.

Yann Ohnona has a fine jump shot and could have been more of a factor with a pure point guard alongside him. Keep an eye on this prospect.

Takeaways from the Adidas Media Game

For the second year in succession, Real Madrid beat FC Barcelona in the semifinals of the EuroLeague Final Four to advance to the championship game, where it will face Olympiacos Piraeus in a repeat of the 2013 final. Real won 66-78 after once again finding an extra gear in the latter stages of the game to come out with the victory. Los Blancos had to do the same in Game 5 of the playoffs against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, and after doing so again, it now has the chance to win its 11th EuroLeague title on Sunday.

Real Madrid wins El Clásico, reaches EuroLeague Championship Game

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Real Madrid wins El Clásico, reaches championship game

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid (2023-05-19T18:00:00.000Z)

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague FanZone is always a perfect starting point for basketball lovers at the Final Four. This year, seemingly more than ever before, fans from all corners of the continent and beyond have flocked to Kaunas for the pinnacle basketball weekend of the year.

There are Final Four veterans, like Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv fan Moshe, who is in his 12th Final Four, and the group of CSP Limoges fans who are celebrating 30 years since their beloved team won its lone EuroLeague crown.

"We are four guys coming from central France who came here to enjoy the tournament," said Junien, wearing a specially-made Limoges jacket.

Radek, from Wroclaw in Poland, came to the FanZone in a Toni Kukoc Jugoplastika jersey.

"I am here with eight crazy guys from Poland. We support all basketball, we love basketball, we love Kaunas, a very exciting place", he said.

The most represented fans are those of Olympiacos, who believe they will have 5,000 fans supporting the team at Zalgirio Arena for the semifinals tonight, but FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and AS Monaco fans have also been strolling the FanZone.

The hometown fans, young and old, although heartbroken when Zalgiris Kaunas lost a chance to qualify for the Final Four earlier this month, have shown up in big numbers at the FanZone, too.

"I have never been to the Final Four before. I think the fans are amazing and they bring a good atmosphere", said 17-year old Justinas, who participated in the 3x3 basketball tournament.

The FanZone is where Justinas will also watch the games this weekend along with thousands of other fans, who all came to basketball-loving Kaunas to enjoy the Final Four party.

Fans from around the world celebrate the Final Four at the FanZone

Among the people who are most attracted to attending the Final Four are the very players who have been on center stage at the same event in the past. Many have come back from around the world as Final Four Ambassadors to support in One Team and sustainability initiatives in Kaunas this weekend. But they are also fans, and on the morning of the semifinals, Mike Batiste, Sofoklis Schortsanitis and Matjaz Smodis all talked about following such an intense season that led to an unpredictable Final Four. 

Legends on intense season.mp4

Final Four Ambassadors praise super-intense season

Among the many EuroLeague players that the city of Kaunas has produced, two will be on the floor in their hometown at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. They are Rokas Jokubaitis of FC Barcelona and Donatas Motiejunas of AS Monaco.

Final Four comes at home for Jokubaitis, Motiejunas

Among the many EuroLeague players that the city of Kaunas has produced, two will be on the floor in their hometown at the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four. They are [Rokas Jokubaitis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rokas-jokubaitis/007519/) of FC Barcelona and [Donatas Motiejunas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/donatas-motiejunas/lcz/) of AS Monaco.

Sixteen years after being chosen as the 2007 ANGT MVP, Motiejunas, who was born in Kaunas, has made it to the Final Four for the first time. Jokubaitis is from Mazeikiai, a city close to the Latvian border, and joined the Zalgiris Basketball Academy as a teenager. He is in his second consecutive Final Four with Barca. 

Kaunas was announced as the 2023 Final Four host in mid-December and it was game-changing news for both Jokubaitis and Motiejunas. 

"As soon as they announced, I bought four tickets for my parents to see this show," Motiejunas said. "You know, not every day you see the Final Four of EuroLeague, four EuroLeague teams in this city playing at the same time at the highest level. So this event is highly expected, a lot of people are really, really expecting this."

Motiejunas was away from the EuroLeague for more than a decade, but being in the Final Four was always in the back of his mind.

"There were so many things in my career. I went to the States, I went to China, changed continents... A lot of things happened in my career. And right now, going towards the end of it, I made it to the Final Four. It's an amazing feeling and, I think, an amazing accomplishment."

See what Donatas Motiejunas of AS Monaco had to say the day before the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague semifinals!

Donatas Motiejunas, Monaco: "This event is highly expected"

For the 22-year-old Jokubaitis, this is his second consecutive Final Four, but he admitted the feeling this time is quite different.

"It is very special", the Barcelona guard said. "I also felt that special moment in the playoffs."

Barcelona was in Kaunas earlier this month when it completed its sweep of Zalgiris Kaunas in their best-of-five playoff series.

"It is a great arena and I think the fans will be great. This time, not Zalgiris fans but fans from all over Europe. I am very happy to be here and fight for the title."

Jokubaitis was thrilled when he learned that Kaunas will host the Final Four, and hurried up to make sure his family could watch him play.

"The same like Donatas, I bought the tickets and my family will be here," Jokubaitis confirmed. "It is not the easiest way to get the tickets, so a few of my friends will be here in Kaunas, but not in the arena. I think the whole of Lithuania will be watching on TV, or wherever they can, and support us. It's a big celebration for us as a basketball country and for a basketball city of Kaunas. I am really happy to be here and represent Lithuanians at the Final Four."

Motiejunas has no doubt we are in for a basketball spectacle in his hometown.

"I think such an event in a place like this should happen at some point and it's better that it happens now," Motiejunas said. "I hope it's not the last event that's going to come to this beautiful place that loves basketball so much."

Many Turkish Airlines EuroLeague greats have attended the Adidas EuroLeague Next Generation Tournament Finals in years past and this season is no different. One of the biggest celebrities checked in to see the games early Friday with when Arvydas Sabonis returned to Kaunas Sports Hall, where he played for many years, to see U18 Zalgiris Kaunas take on U18 Joventut Badalona. Sabonis came with his son Tautvydas, who works as one of Zalgiris's assistant coaches. Playing in this building, Sabonis led Zalgiris to three consecutive Soviet Union titles from 1985 to 1987 and reached the EuroLeague Championship Game in 1986. After a long, successful career Sabonis returned to Zalgiris to become the 2003-04 EuroLeague MVP with the team playing all of its home games at Kaunas Sports Hall.

Sabonis is one of many VIPs at the ANGT Finals in Kaunas. Euroleague Ambassadors Jonas Maciulis and Mike Batiste were courtside watching U18 Real Madrid beat U18 Panathinaikos Athens. Maciulis helped Real win the 2014-15 EuroLeague title and Batiste is a three-time EuroLeague champion with Panathinaikos. London Lions head coach Ryan Schmidt was also at that game, as well as former EuroLeague star Primoz Brezec. More and more VIPs are expected at Kaunas Sports Hall, but Sabonis's return to the building was quite emotional for those in attendance.