The Peace and Friendship Stadium will host one of the most competitive quarterfinal matchups of the EuroLeague. Olympiacos Piraeus, regular season leaders, start with home-court advantage against AS Monaco, the eighth seed, in a series that brings together offensive talent, experience, and several stars accustomed to deciding big nights.
Although the final standings reflect a gap between both teams, the numbers suggest a much tighter matchup. Olympiacos finished first with a record of 26 wins and 12 losses, while Monaco closed their campaign with 23 wins and 17 losses. Additionally, recent history favors the Principality squad, winners in four of the last five head-to-head meetings.
Two elite offenses face off
The series brings together two of the championship's best offenses. Olympiacos averaged 90.3 points per game, the second-best mark in the tournament, while Monaco posted 89.9, fifth. Both also rank among the best in rating, assists, and overall efficiency, which anticipates games with high-quality execution.
The Greek squad dominated the competition in average rating with 109.6 and was the best team in assists with 21.6 per night. Their collective play, constant ball movement, and ability to find advantages from different positions make them one of the most difficult offenses to defend.
Monaco is no slouch. With 105.4 in rating and 21.0 assists per game, the Monegasque squad mixes individual talent with collective resources. They can win through high-tempo play, but also in tight finishes thanks to the problem-solving ability of their perimeter players.
Vezenkov versus Mike James, clash of superstars
Few series present such a compelling duel between offensive leaders. Sasha Vezenkov has completed an extraordinary regular season with 19.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 23.1 in rating, the highest figure in the series. His mid-post threat, his outside shot, and his off-ball intelligence force constant defensive adjustments and permanent rotations.
Facing him will be Mike James, Monaco's competitive leader with 16.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 19.1 in rating. His ability to create shots, generate advantages off the dribble, and take on crucial possessions makes him one of the most dangerous players in the entire competition.
Olympiacos arrives with a roster full of weapons. Tyler Dorsey contributes 17.0 points and constant outside threat. Nikola Milutinov dominates near the rim with 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. Thomas Walkup orchestrates with 5.9 assists per game and sets the defensive tone on the perimeter. Additionally, players like Evan Fournier, Alec Peters, and Donta Hall add roster depth.
Monaco responds with a very physical and versatile core. Alpha Diallo has been a complete piece with 11.9 points and major defensive impact. Elie Okobo adds perimeter creation and playmaking. Daniel Theis provides interior toughness and efficiency near the rim, while Nikola Mirotic adds experience and offensive talent in big moments.
The tactical keys to the series
For Olympiacos, the priority is imposing their collective rhythm, dominating the boards—36.8 per game—and punishing with ball movement until finding open shots. If they can take the series into structured, mid-court basketball, their chances will grow significantly.
Monaco will need to turn each game into a physical battle, increase pressure on the perimeter, and exploit the one-on-one abilities of their creators. If Mike James and Okobo can break down initial defenses, the Principality team will have plenty of chances to steal home-court advantage.
Home court versus recent precedent
The atmosphere at the Peace and Friendship Stadium will be a significant advantage for Olympiacos, one of the continent's most demanding arenas. However, the recent head-to-head record gives Monaco confidence, as they already know how to compete and win against the Greek leaders.
Everything points to a long series, loaded with talent and with several games decided in the final minutes. Olympiacos are favorites based on seeding, depth, and home court, but Monaco have the experience, resources, and stars to turn the matchup into a five-game war.
Head-to-Head Record
Curiously, in a matchup between first-place Olympiacos and eighth-place Monaco, it is the Principality squad that has the better recent record, with two victories in their head-to-head meetings (2-0). On Matchday 7, the result was 87-92 in Piraeus, despite the strong performance of the Greek star trio, with 23 points from Dorsey, 17 from Vezenkov, and 14 points and 8 rebounds from Milutinov, and 27 points from Diallo and 23 from Mike James for the visiting side. On Matchday 31, in the return, it was much tighter at 81-80 in Monaco, where locally James stood out with 14 points and the Blossomgame-Theis duo both with 13 points, against an Olympiacos led again by Dorsey with 19 points and Peters with 17.