EuroLeague – Olympiacos Dominate Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul 79–61
Match Overview
On the night of 22 May 2026, Olympiacos delivered a statement victory at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, overwhelming Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul 79–61 in a pivotal EuroLeague regular-season clash. The Reds controlled the contest from the opening tip, using suffocating defence and balanced scoring to hand the Turkish powerhouse its heaviest defeat of the campaign.
First Half: Defensive Intensity Sets the Tone
Olympiacos came out with immense energy, forcing four turnovers in the first five minutes. Isaiah Canaan and Thomas Walkup spearheaded a defensive press that limited Fenerbahçe to just 28% shooting in the opening quarter. The hosts built a 22–14 lead after ten minutes, and extended it to 44–31 by halftime behind Nikola Milutinov’s interior dominance (12 points, 8 rebounds in the half). Fenerbahçe’s backcourt of Nick Calathes and Scottie Wilbekin struggled to find rhythm against Piraeus’s disciplined rotations.
Second Half: Olympiacos Pulls Away
The third quarter proved decisive. With Moustapha Fall patrolling the paint and Shaquielle McKissic converting in transition, Olympiacos outscored the visitors 23–14. Fenerbahçe coach Dimitris Itoudis called multiple timeouts but could not stem the tide. By the end of the period, the lead had ballooned to 67–45.
Key Performers
- Nikola Milutinov (Olympiacos): Finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the glass and altering shots at the rim.
- Isaiah Canaan: Added 16 points and 4 steals, providing perimeter scoring and relentless pressure on the ball.
- Scottie Wilbekin (Fenerbahçe): Team-high 15 points, but shot just 5-of-14 from the field and committed 5 turnovers.
Tactical Story
Olympiacos head coach Georgios Bartzokas deployed a switching defence that neutralised Fenerbahçe’s pick-and-roll game. The Reds forced 18 turnovers and turned them into 22 points on the break. Offensively, they moved the ball with purpose, recording 21 assists on 32 made field goals. Fenerbahçe, by contrast, often settled for contested jumpers and managed only 6 fast-break points.
Standings Impact
The victory improved Olympiacos’s record to 22–7, strengthening their hold on a top-four spot. Fenerbahçe dropped to 18–11 but remain in playoff contention. The result also marked Olympiacos’s eighth consecutive home win and extended their head-to-head dominance over the Istanbul side in recent meetings.

