AS Monaco, led by first-year EuroLeague coach Vassilis Spanoulis, secured a historic 78-68 victory over Olympiacos in the EuroLeague semifinal on May 23, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, advancing to their first-ever championship game. Spanoulis, a three-time EuroLeague champion with Olympiacos (last in 2013 as Finals MVP), outcoached Georgios Bartzokas as Monaco took control in the second half, pulling away with a 55:42 lead in the third quarter behind Jaron Blossomgame’s 7 straight points and Alpha Diallo’s 22-point performance. Monaco’s smart, team-oriented play overwhelmed Olympiacos, setting up a final against Fenerbahce after their 82-76 win over Panathinaikos.
Mike James delivered a stellar all-around game for Monaco with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists for a PIR of 29, while Blossomgame and Mam Jaiteh proved to be X-factors, and Elie Okobo and Nick Calathes orchestrated key runs, including a 7:0 spurt in the first quarter. Olympiacos relied heavily on Evan Fournier, who scored 31 points, but only Nigel Williams-Goss (12 points) and Nikola Milutinov (8 points) provided support, as the team lacked cohesion despite tying the game at 17:17 after the first quarter. Spanoulis, honored recently at a gala for his Olympiacos legacy, showcased his winning mentality, leading Monaco to a double-digit lead in the fourth with Jaiteh’s 5 straight points.
Monaco’s breakthrough marks their first EuroLeague final appearance, a remarkable feat for Spanoulis, who replaced Sasha Obradovic midseason. They’ll face Fenerbahce on Sunday for the title, while Olympiacos, failing to win their fourth straight Final Four attempt since their 2013 title with Spanoulis as player, will meet Panathinaikos in the third-place game, ensuring a Greek derby. Monaco’s team play, highlighted by James’s versatility and Diallo’s scoring, positions them as a serious contender, but Fenerbahce’s depth, led by Devon Hall, will test their mettle.
