UPDATE: Olympiacos started by using its defense to shut down Monaco for nearly three minutes, but then it was Olympiacos that ran out of solutions for a while (4–7, 5′).

A three-pointer by Fournier fired up the crowd, but neither team could overcome the opponent’s defense. No problem for Fournier, who sank another very difficult shot (15–11, 7′), but Diallo responded, and Olympiacos’ mistakes didn’t cost them as the first quarter ended tied at 17–17.

Coach Bartzokas deployed three guards early, and Olympiacos responded to the 17–21 score with a 6–0 run. Milutinov’s presence provided many solutions on offense and rebounding, but Monaco capitalized on Olympiacos’ shooting struggles and, with a spectacular fast break, pulled ahead 26–31 (16′). Having also neutralized Vezenkov up to that point, Monaco maintained control, with Mike James putting on a fantastic performance.

The Piraeus team finished the half with just 2-for-12 from three-point range and 7 assists to 8 turnovers—far from their usual standards. Two big buckets, a three-pointer from Thijs and an off-balance shot by Diallo, kept Monaco ahead at the start of the third quarter. Then Blossomgame took over for 38–45 (25′) with two consecutive baskets. The “hero ball” approach didn’t suit Olympiacos, who fell behind by 12 (40–52, 27′).

Fournier tried to carry the team in the third quarter. The “Red and Whites” cut the lead to 51–55 (29′) thanks to another burst from him, keeping their semifinal hopes alive.

But there were no other answers for Olympiacos, and Monaco regained a double-digit lead (51–62, 31′), as no one but Fournier was scoring. A brief 5–0 run from Williams-Goss and Fournier made it 56–64 (34′). Still, nothing was working offensively, and James was now entertaining the crowd with amazing assists, pushing the score to 58–70 (36′).

The path to the basket was completely blocked for Olympiacos. The Frenchman (Fournier) scored again to make it 61–70, but Diallo immediately answered by targeting Vezenkov. The final two minutes began with Monaco up by seven, but the incredible Fournier made a rare mistake. Monaco stole the ball and pushed the lead to 65–74—a decisive gap with only 79 seconds left. Thus came the definitive end to Olympiacos’ European season, as they once again failed to reach the trophy.

Quarter Scores: 17–17, 32–35, 51–57, 68–78.

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The top team of the regular season (Olympiacos with a record of 24 wins and 10 losses) is on the best streak in its history, making its fourth consecutive EuroLeague Final Four appearance (2022 Belgrade, 2023 Kaunas, 2024 Berlin), aiming to win its first trophy in 12 years (2013, London).

“Being here four times in a row is amazing but not enough. Winning the trophy is our goal, and we hope to have better luck this year,” emphasized Giorgos Bartzokas, who saw his team lose on the final shot in Kaunas (semifinal) and in Belgrade (final).

On the road to their most recent final (2023), Olympiacos also faced Monaco in the semifinal, beating them 76-62 with a staggering second-half score of 47-20 (!).

Truth be told, Olympiacos hasn’t changed much compared to that 2023 matchup, with the addition of Evan Fournier giving a huge boost. However, the same can’t be said for their opponent, who now boasts a strong Greek presence—led by head coach Vassilis Spanoulis and players Nick Calathes and Giorgos Papagiannis.

For Spanoulis, today’s game is one of the most challenging of his career, both competitively and emotionally, as he faces the team that named him its leader 15 years ago, and with which he celebrated back-to-back EuroLeague championships (2012, 2013).

“I will always love Olympiacos and no one can deny that, but now we’re opponents. It will be harder for my kids, who will be rooting for Olympiacos,” he said at the press conference. He’ll also have Nick Calathes back in the lineup after his recovery from injury.

The referees for the semifinal are Ilija Belošević (Serbia), Emilio Pérez (Spain), and Milan Nedović (Slovenia).

Panathinaikos was eliminated by Fenerbahçe, which returns to the final after 7 years.

Now we wait to see what Olympiacos can do against Spanoulis’ Monaco.

This season, Olympiacos has one win in Monte Carlo and one loss at SEF (Peace and Friendship Stadium) against Monaco.

The Reds are chasing the 10th final in their history, with their most recent appearance being the 2023 final.