The success of Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague – A glorious Greek Legacy

The EuroLeague is the biggest and most prestigious basketball club competition in Europe. Within this rich history, two Greek teams have written “golden” chapters: Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos. Their achievements, memorable victories, legendary players, and historic finals have made Greece one of the most respected forces in European basketball.

Panathinaikos is the most successful Greek club in EuroLeague history, with seven titles to its name. The first came in 1996 in Paris, when Panathinaikos, coached by Božidar Maljković and led by the legendary Dominique Wilkins, defeated Barcelona to lift the trophy. This marked the beginning of an empire.

The story continued with more golden moments. In 2000, at the “Palazzetto dello Sport” in Thessaloniki, Panathinaikos claimed its second title against Maccabi Tel Aviv. The third title followed in 2002 in Bologna, under the guidance of Željko Obradović, one of the greatest coaches in European basketball history. Three more triumphs came after: in 2007 in Athens, in 2009 in Berlin, in 2011 in Barcelona, and most recently in 2024 in Berlin.

Panathinaikos didn’t just win trophies — it built a basketball culture filled with passion, led by legendary players such as Dimitris Diamantidis, Fragiskos Alvertis, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Mike Batiste, and, of course, the architect of success, Željko Obradović. The club has also made numerous appearances in Final Fours and has recorded countless victories in classic EuroLeague clashes. The “Nikos Galis OAKA” arena has been filled time and again with thousands of green voices pushing the team toward greatness.

Olympiacos Piraeus is the other major ambassador of Greek basketball in Europe. With three EuroLeague titles and many Final Four appearances, its story is filled with emotion, resilience, and unforgettable comebacks.

It all began in 1997 in Rome, where Olympiacos, coached by Dušan Ivković and featuring stars like David Rivers, Panagiotis Fasoulas, Aleksey Tarlac, and Giorgos Sigalas, lifted its first-ever European trophy. That victory paved the way for international recognition of Greek basketball.

However, the club’s greatest moment came in 2012 in Istanbul. In one of the most incredible finals in EuroLeague history, Olympiacos, again coached by Ivković, overturned a 19-point deficit against CSKA Moscow and won the title with a legendary game-winning shot by Giorgos Printezis in the final seconds. One year later, in 2013 in London, Olympiacos were crowned European champions again, defeating Real Madrid with leaders like Vassilis Spanoulis, Printezis, and Kostas Papanikolaou.

Olympiacos is known for its grit, fighting spirit, and belief. The club has appeared in multiple finals, frequently entered the Final Four as an underdog, and still reached the top. Players such as Vassilis Spanoulis, Giorgos Printezis, Theocharis Papaloukas, Ioannis Bourousis, and Kyle Hines have all written their own chapters in the club’s red-and-white history.

Panathinaikos and Olympiacos were not only fierce rivals on Greek courts but also two teams that made Greece synonymous with basketball across Europe. With EuroLeague titles, countless Final Four appearances, and legendary derbies, these two “eternal enemies” placed Greece at the pinnacle of European basketball.