History was made back in October 2000
25 years ago today: A new era tipped off
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On October 16, 2000, the modern-day EuroLeague officially began with a thrilling opener in Madrid that changed European basketball forever.
Real Madrid edged Olympiacos Piraeus 75-73 in a tightly contested battle that marked the first-ever EuroLeague game. It was a night full of symbolism, passion, and history in the making.
Dino Radja, a two-time continental champion and future Hall of Famer, scored the first basket in modern EuroLeague history and grabbed 16 defensive rebounds – still the joint fourth-highest single-game total ever.
Stephane Risacher – now the father of BKT EuroCup Rising Star and future No.1 pick in the NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher – led all scorers with 18 points for Olympiacos, but Real Madrid’s balanced attack – with seven players scoring between 7 and 14 points, led by Alberto Angulo – secured the win.
Sergio Scariolo, who returned to Los Blancos for his second spell in charge in the summer of 2025, earned the distinction of being the first head coach to win a EuroLeague game, while the late Mirza Delibasic, a Real Madrid legend, was honored by the home fans with a loving ovation.
A quarter-century later, the legacy of that night still echoes across Europe. Here's to 25 years of unforgettable EuroLeague basketball.
