The final comes to Athens and the Greeks will play in front of their own crowd. Olympiacos hosts Real Madrid for the EuroLeague title of the 2025-26 season - a 2023 rematch, with less drama and more home-court advantage for the Piraeus club.

At the pre-match press conference, coach Georgios Bartzokas and player Tyler Dorsey spoke about the team's preparation. Dorsey, the Olympiacos guard, didn't hide that the context is special: „It's a blessing to be in the final. It's a huge opportunity to have it at home, in front of our fans in Greece. We're ready, we're mentally focused for today and tomorrow."

Bartzokas opened with the admission that opportunities like this are rare in a career: „There are moments in our careers that are priceless. One of them is the chance to play a final, especially against a huge club like Real Madrid. It will be a real battle, as in the past. We're excited, I won't hide that."

Real Madrid enter the final with injuries to three key players at the centre position. Bartzokas answered without false empathy: „I'm never happy when a player gets injured. Still, you never know who will be the deciding factor. Sergio Scariolo is smart and experienced enough to find a solution - maybe a zone defence, like he's done in the past. It won't be an easy game."

Bartzokas refused the favourite label: „I won't say we're the favourites. We have confidence, and Real has it too. It comes from quality and experience." Dorsey added that the two teams know each other too well: „I don't expect many changes. We've played as rivals for years. They'll go on runs, and we'll have to adapt during the game."

For Bartzokas, the 2023 rematch doesn't mean he's in the same place: „I'm different, as all people are over time. With the dramatic defeats and the big wins. All of it is in your head, and it's up to you how you use it. The only thing I see as shared is the same opponent and the same hunger from the team." The final tips off tomorrow in Athens, with home court and all the omens on Olympiacos. Real will have to improvise.