Real Madrid sees light in the tunnel, forces Game 4 against Olympiacos

Real Madrid staved off elimination in the Euroleague Quarter Finals, securing a vital 80-72 victory over Olympiacos in Game 3 at home. This win reduces Olympiacos's lead in the best-of-five series to 2-1, sending the contest back to Madrid for a decisive Game 4 on Thursday. For Real Madrid, who finished the regular season as the 7th seed and advanced through the 2025 EuroLeague Play-in tournament, keeping their season alive against the top-seeded Olympiacos is a significant achievement.

The game saw moments of offensive fluency from Madrid early on, starting strong and building an initial lead. However, the flow shifted in the second quarter as Olympiacos, known for their patient and intelligent offensive execution, took control. The Greek side capitalized on Madrid's rotational struggles, and Olympiacos star Nigel Williams-Goss had a particularly strong first half, contributing significantly to their advantage and causing Madrid to falter defensively, losing their early lead. Williams-Goss finished game with 17 points. Olympiacos' top scorer was Sasha Vezenkov with 21 points.

The turning point arrived in the second half. Real Madrid fundamentally changed the game's dynamic by elevating their defensive intensity to an "enormous" level. This was not just about individual brilliance but a collective commitment to "sacrifice, solidarity, and defensive commitment." Specific defensive assignments, such as Alberto Abalde's focused effort on containing Williams-Goss, proved highly effective and were key to disrupting Olympiacos's offense. Madrid's coaching staff emphasized that at this level, success is built on "energy and work" in addition to scoring talent.

This defensive resurgence fueled Madrid's offense and allowed them to build their largest lead of the game. While key offensive production came from Walter Tavares (15 points), Dzanan Musa (14 points), and Mario Hezonja (14 points), the win was largely attributed to the team's improved defense and collective effort in the latter half. Veteran Facundo Campazzo also played a role in closing out the game, ensuring Madrid held on for the crucial victory.

Historically, Real Madrid has a unique pedigree in the Euroleague playoffs, being the only team to have ever successfully come back from a 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five series. This history fuels their belief that a "miracle" comeback to reach the Final Four is still possible. To achieve this, they must replicate the defensive intensity and collective performance shown in Game 3 when they face the regular season leaders, Olympiacos, again on Thursday in a must-win Game 4. The path remains difficult, but Madrid has found "light in the tunnel" and forced the series to continue.