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may 23 2026ATHENS. Olympiacos and Real Madrid began disputing the EuroLeague final long before tipoff. The traditional pre-game press conference for the title match featured messages of ambition, constant references to Real Madrid's injuries, subtle psychological games between Georgios Bartzokas and Sergio Scariolo, and an atmosphere charged with competitive tension ahead of the decisive matchup at the OAKA.
The Real Madrid head coach made clear that his team does not intend to use absences as an excuse despite the enormous interior problem caused by the injuries of Edy Tavares, Alex Len, and Usman Garuba.
"Obviously we are sad for our three teammates," Scariolo acknowledged during his appearance. The Italian coach insisted that the club's competitive DNA obligates the team to continue believing in its possibilities despite the adverse context.
Mario Hezonja maintained the same discourse. The Croatian acknowledged the blow of losing three big men for a final of this level, though he stressed that the group's mentality does not change.
"We have to keep believing, keep fighting and keep trying. That is our mentality," said the Real Madrid small forward.
On the Greek side, Bartzokas tried to downplay any favoritism despite playing practically at home and arriving with much greater interior depth. The Olympiacos head coach highlighted the respect he feels for Real Madrid and even launched a small tactical warning about possible defensive adjustments from Scariolo.
"I am sure that Sergio will prepare something different to cover those absences. Probably a zone or that hybrid defense he has used other times," he commented with a smile.
Scariolo's response came immediately when Tyler Dorsey smiled at the Greek coach's comment.
"Tyler, don't laugh at that," the Real Madrid coach quickly responded, leaving one of the most talked-about moments of the press conference.
Beyond the tactical aspect, the atmosphere also centered much of the debate. Although the final is being played at Panathinaikos' court, Olympiacos will have clear environmental support in Athens. However, both coaches avoided giving too much importance to the crowd factor.
"In the end it's 12 players against 12 players," Scariolo summed up, even pointing out that the pressure of the atmosphere can also affect the Greek team.
Bartzokas agreed with that analysis and assured that the supposed favoritism changes nothing for his team. Additionally, he suggested that Madrid could face the game without pressure precisely because of the numerous injuries it carries.
One of the protagonists of the press conference was Tyler Dorsey. The Olympiacos shooting guard recalled the difficult moment he experienced a year ago, when he didn't even make the rotation for the Final Four, and how he has transformed that situation to become one of the team's offensive leaders.
"I have waited and prayed a lot for moments like this," explained Dorsey, who publicly thanked Bartzokas for his confidence after completing the best season of his career in Europe.
The final is set. Olympiacos arrives backed by the home atmosphere and by a much deeper rotation in the interior game. Real Madrid, battered by injuries, will seek to survive through competitiveness, experience, and Sergio Scariolo's tactical adaptation ability. Everything is ready to decide the new EuroLeague champion.
