Top 10 All-Time EuroLeague Playoff Series

This is where it all comes down to. A period during which all the hard work put in during the regular season can come crashing down at any moment. A minefield capable of bringing down Goliath in favor of a David no one expected – not even Adam or Eve. Welcome to the playoffs !

A retrospective on the greatest series of the modern EuroLeague era, where the storyline, the outcome, and their place in the collective memory are our main criteria.

10) Olimpia Milano 🇮🇹 – Maccabi Tel Aviv 🇮🇱 2014 (1-3) : In the realm of upsets, this series from the 2013-2014 season holds a special place. Our two quarter-finalists experienced diametrically opposed trajectories during the regular season. On one hand, there was a stable Milan, focused on reaching the Final Four in their home city. On the other, Maccabi, with its inconsistent rhythm, found itself on a perpetual rollercoaster, capable of plummeting to rock bottom… then instantly soaring to new heights. This complete unpredictability was perfectly reflected in Game 1. At home, Milan cruised to victory. Untroubled, their 13-point lead (78-65) with only a few minutes remaining illustrated their dominance. It was difficult to imagine any kind of comeback. However, a sudden spark rekindled this yellow phoenix, dormant for far too long. Without hesitation, Maccabi closed the gap, erased the deficit, and then tied the game. Time for overtime! Led by an untouchable Hickman-Rice duo, the Israeli team pulls ahead (99-101). Although Olimpia has plenty of opportunities to recover, a previously unknown sense of doubt has crept into their game. The damage isn’t immediately apparent, as 48 hours later the Italians live up to their status (91-77). But the harm is already done! Now, it’s off to the heart of the Tel Aviv cauldron. Fueled by the local fervor, the Israelis make short work of Milan. The score? 75-63 followed by a resounding 86-66. Mercilessly, David Blatt’s men have just dismantled a team that many experts considered untouchable. A virtuoso performance that became the opening act of a remarkable saga culminating in an absolutely incredible victory over Real Madrid in the final. But that’s another story !

9) Olympiacos 🇬🇷 – Montepaschi Sienne 🇮🇹 2011 (1-3) : +48… that’s the lead Olympiacos built up during the opening game of this series against Siena. At the same time, the Greek team approached the 2010-2011 campaign with a vengeance. Still smarting from their 86-68 defeat to FC Barcelona in the previous season’s final, Ivković’s squad eagerly awaited their revenge in the Final Four. But first, they had to overcome this modest team from central Italy. A formality on paper, confirmed by their thunderous start in Piraeus (89-41). And indeed, the rest of the quarterfinals proved to be a one-sided affair. In Game 2 at home in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Olympiacos… were thoroughly demolished by a Siena side in full flow (65-82). Perhaps overconfident, the Red and Whites received a harsh wake-up call from which they never recovered. Especially since they weren’t likely to find the antidote in Italy. In the heart of a PalaEstra arena ablaze during the last two games of this series, this team, led by a Malik Hairston in top form, gave the “favorites” no chance. For 80 minutes, Pianigiani’s men delivered a masterclass. Triumphs 81-72 and then 88-76! The underdog hadn’t just knocked out their opponent with a stroke of genius. No, they had thoroughly disfigured them before sending them to the canvas for good. A truly unique upset.

8) Panathinaïkos 🇬🇷 – Baskonia 🇪🇸 2006 (1-2) : Today, home-court advantage is a significant asset. But in 2006, the benefit of having an extra home game was tenfold. Series were played best-of-three, not best-of-five. In practical terms, an away loss meant you already had a sword of Damocles hanging over your head. And when upsets occurred, the underdog usually won the opening matchup. This context adds an even more iconic dimension to the clash between Panathinaikos and Tau Ceramica (now Baskonia). Led by the two best EuroLeague players of all time, according to our Top 10 list, the Greens logically occupy a prime position at the top of the seeding pool. However, beware of the Blaugrana, who are no strangers to this kind of competition. Just the previous season, they had pulled off the feat of reaching the final. Afterwards, it seemed more like a one-off than the start of a new dynasty. In contrast, the Greeks boast a simply overflowing roster. Logically, they comfortably won at home in a one-sided match (84-72). Now we find ourselves perched amidst the Basque mountains. And in their unique style, Velimir Perasović’s team created a minor earthquake by holding Panathinaikos to a draw (85-79). Staying in the game is one thing. But defeating the Athenians on their own turf is quite another. The decisive third game begins! Panathinaikos struggles to string together good plays while Baskonia takes control of Game 3 at halftime (36-42). This doesn’t last long, however, thanks to a magnificent third quarter by Baskonia (53-52). As the game entered its final stages, a dominant Erdogan extended Spain’s lead to four points (70-74). Diamantidis narrowed the gap to a single possession (71-74). At the final buzzer, Alvertis missed a three-pointer that could have won the game. Perhaps a little intimidated by the crowd, the Basque players erupted in jubilation before quickly retreating to their locker room. Once again, they had defied the odds.

7) Unicaja Málaga 🇪🇸 – FC Barcelone 🇪🇸 2007 (2-1) : Let’s stay in that same 2000s vibe, where playoffs were limited to a maximum of three games. And let’s open the saga of great stories. More specifically, the Unicaja chapter. This all-Iberian 2007 quarter-final embodies one of the last great epics of the EuroLeague. Málaga, however, held home-court advantage. Objectively, they were the favorites. Problem: looming ahead was a red and blue Everest. Yes, to reach their first Final Four, the Andalusians had to defeat FC Barcelona. The Catalan beast was less intimidating than in 2003. But hey, a sleeping giant is still a giant. Scariolo’s team rode their incredible momentum to comfortably win Game 1 in front of their home crowd (91-75). History was in the making! Having launched their attack at full speed, Málaga, however, suffered a crushing defeat in Catalonia. Reduced to just 58 points, the visitors suffered a heavy defeat against a rock-solid Barcelona side. With the decisive match just days away, the suspense was palpable. Unicaja would be playing at home, still smarting from the thrashing they’d suffered a few days earlier. In a packed Martin Carpena arena, the blowouts seen so far gave way to a suffocating final stretch. At 62-62, Pepe Sanchez rose, launched a long-range shot, collapsed to the floor, and finally saw the ball sink into the basket. A hammer blow for FC Barcelona, ​​compounded by two free throws from Marcus Brown (67-64). With this incredible finale, Marko Tušek’s teammates capped off an epic run.

6) FC Barcelone 🇪🇸 – Panathinaïkos 🇬🇷 2011 (1-3) : There was certainly plenty to talk about during the 2010-2011 postseason. We were just talking about the unfortunate loser of the 2010 final, Olympiacos. But now it’s the reigning European champions’ turn to take center stage. While the Red and Whites were eager for revenge, the Blaugrana were determined to achieve a back-to-back title. Among the very best teams in the regular season, FC Barcelona entered the quarterfinals with home advantage and the prospect of hosting the Final Four on their own turf in the back of their minds. So yes, traditionally, when the name “Panathinaikos” is on the opposing team, it’s never a good sign. Except perhaps this time. Far less impressive than in previous years, PAOK appeared a step below the “serious” contenders for the title. Yet, a single point separated Obradovic’s players from the upset in Game 1 (83-82). Opportunities like this don’t usually come around. A regret for the Greens? Not really! Once again in a suffocating atmosphere, Panathinaikos managed to pull ahead in the second crucial game of this series (71-75). The Greens had good reason to believe, especially since Barcelona was heading to Greece. The turning point came in the penultimate game. Thanks to consistent support from Cathales on Navarro, Panathinaikos remained within striking distance. Dimitri Diamantidis then decided to carry his team, scoring the last 6 points for the Greens (76-74). Dejected, the Catalans let the final game slip away (78-67). But perhaps in the near future, Barcelona will manage to get their revenge…

5) Panathinaïkos 🇬🇷 – Maccabi Tel Aviv 🇮🇱 2012 (3-2) : Never, ever underestimate Panathinaikos. Barcelona learned that the hard way earlier, and now it’s Maccabi Tel Aviv’s turn to experience that adage firsthand. In a different form, however. Because this time, the Greens are the favorites, coupled with the home-court advantage that comes with it. A rematch of the last EuroLeague finals, this quarter-final began with a fairly predictable victory for the Greeks (93-73). Buoyed by this extra boost of confidence, the reigning European champions seemed unbeatable. Two days later – still at home – the home team faced a tougher opponent. The ship rocked so much that the yellow tide carried it into overtime, where a three-pointer from David Blu with 31 seconds left sealed the game once and for all (92-94). A minor setback turned into a crushing blow in an ecstatic Menora Mivtachim Arena. Once again hampered in the closing minutes (65-62), Panathinaikos found themselves with their backs against the wall just hours before Game 4. South of the Israeli capital, Obradovic’s team completely turned the tide (69-78). They were thought to be outmatched, but now they were back to even the series (2-2)! The decisive game would be played in Athens. Riding their momentum, Panathinaikos dominated Maccabi for three quarters. With two minutes remaining, the home team led 73-63. But in the space of a few possessions, the visitors staged a mini-comeback. With seven seconds left on the clock, the scoreboard read 85-85. The demons of Game 2 resurfaced. Except that the legendary Diamantidis had other ideas! First, he managed to get to the free-throw line before unleashing an extraordinary defensive sequence that only he could pull off. Victory 86-85! Panathinaikos had a scare, Panathinaikos doubted themselves, but Panathinaikos triumphed.

4) FC Barcelone 🇪🇸 – Olympiacos 🇬🇷 2015 (1-3) : Barcelona is clearly struggling against Greek teams. Heading into the 2015 playoffs, the Catalans find themselves in much the same situation as four years ago. They stand out as favorites for the title, but face an aging Olympiacos side. As evidenced by their virtuoso Spanoulis, still incredible but on the decline, the Erythrólefki’s glory days seem to be behind them. Quite the opposite for the Spanish team, who believe more than ever. Their opening game in this series confirms these impressions. Led by a Navarro-Nachbar duo playing brilliantly, the Blaugrana crushed their opponents (73-57). It’s worth noting that the Athenians had completely given up at the start of the fourth quarter. Was this proof of a predetermined fate, or a deliberate attempt to conserve energy for this second encounter? Most people initially opted for the first alternative. Then the tip-off happened, FC Barcelona found themselves under pressure from all sides, Georgios Printezis posted a 34 efficiency rating, and Olympiacos secured a comfortable victory (63-76). What had just happened? While it was only a simple tie, the momentum had shifted. However, the Spanish team didn’t crumble in Piraeus. Under the guidance of the astute coach Xavi Pascual, Barcelona held their own against the home side. The coin tipped in favor of the red team (73-71). Olympiacos was now just one step away from an upset. And what a step it was! Neither team could gain the upper hand. With 1 minute and 30 seconds remaining, the visitors led 65-61. Far from being outplayed, the Red and Whites launched a sudden 5-0 run (66-65). Finally, with 5 seconds left, the scoreboard showed 68-68. The rest is history. On the inbounds pass, Spanoulis caught the ball, found Sloukas in the dead end, who immediately passed to Mantzaris. From the parking lot, he sent the arena into a frenzy.

3) Olympiacos 🇬🇷 – Anadolu Efes 🇹🇷 2017 (3-2) : The final grand dance of the greatest player of the modern EuroLeague era. That’s how one could summarize this thrilling series. The future will tell, but this quarterfinal also represents a bridge between two generations, two eras of dominance. A kind of passing of the torch between Spanoulis’ Olympiacos and Micic’s Anadolu, the team that last achieved back-to-back titles in Europe. So… who? Who won this clash of eras? The experience of the Athenians or the youthful exuberance of the Istanbul team? In any case, it was the Greeks who started as favorites, with home-court advantage, and who won without much difficulty in their opening game (87-72). But Perasovic’s men had more than one trick up their sleeve. From the second game onward, Anadolu displayed a completely different side, so irresistible that the navy blues returned to Turkey with a triumphant victory (71-73). And thanks to a second quarter followed by a phenomenal third, they even took the lead after a Game 3 they controlled from start to finish (64-60). At that point, few gave Olympiacos much of a chance, as they seemed to be losing momentum. The first quarter of Game 4 added further pressure to the Athenians (21-14). Then, playmaker Spanoulis stepped up. Like in his best days, he got the red train back on track. Tough on defense and efficient on offense. A simple recipe resulting in a victory (62-74). Having come back from the brink, Olympiacos finished the job in Greece (87-78). Experience triumphed over recklessness!

2) FC Barcelone 🇪🇸 – Panathinaïkos 🇬🇷 2013 (3-2) : We come full circle with this matchup, which in the space of three years has captivated European basketball fans. Beyond the rivalry, the context is exactly the same as in 2011: Barcelona has home-court advantage over a Panathinaikos team that, at first glance, appears to be losing momentum. The decline of the Green Eagles seems all the more certain given that Admiral Obradovic is no longer at the helm. This prime position now belongs to Argyris Pedoulakis. Two visions clash. On one side, the Catalan golden generation aiming for a fourth Final Four appearance in five seasons. On the other, the Athenians seeking to maintain their status despite significant changes. The stage is set. Now, let the games begin! The first three games were virtually identical to those of 2011. Barcelona narrowly won the first round (72-70) before also losing the second (65-66) and third (63-65) by a hair. At this point, it wasn’t Oedipus but Barça who were cursed! The basketball gods seemed to have written the exact same script that had propelled Panathinaikos to the top of Mount Olympus two years prior. Arriving at this fourth encounter, played in the cauldron of the clover, the unrecognizable Catalans started with a bang. Between Navarro’s exploits and Tomic’s technical finesse, the home team was completely overwhelmed, as evidenced by the lone point scored by Diamantidis (a first). Reinvigorated, FC Barcelona leveled the series (60-70) and won the deciding game at home (64-53). These two teams certainly took us on an emotional rollercoaster in this Top 10. However, neither of them managed to claim the top spot !

1) Real Madrid 🇪🇸 – Partizan Belgrade 🇷🇸 2023 (3-2) : If you’ve been following along, one scenario is missing. Indeed, no team has come back from two games behind. At least, not before this electrifying duel between Real Madrid and Partizan Belgrade. Twists and turns, nail-biting finish times, and even a brawl. Such was the fate of this quarter-final, which began on Real Madrid’s home turf. With home-court advantage, Los Blancos cruised to a lead for much of Game 1. Led by an unstoppable Kevin Punter, the visitors stayed close before striking at the perfect moment with a huge three-pointer from… Kevin Punter! The guard stunned the Movistar Arena before responding two days later. Except that Real Madrid were completely outmatched in that game (80-95). And as the game drew to a close, the tension ratcheted up another notch. A seemingly innocuous outburst of frustration from Sergio Lull towards Kevin Punter sparked a physical altercation between the two teams. The situation escalated to a point where Guerschon Yabusele tackled Dante Exum. As a result, nearly four players received hefty fines. Needless to say, Game 3 in Belgrade proved particularly tense, even though the outcome seemed predetermined. No team had ever overcome a two-game deficit before. The numbers speak for themselves, but the court doesn’t lie! And what other institution than Real Madrid would break the rule? Led by Walter Tavares’ 7’3″ frame, Real Madrid won the final minutes (80-82). The same scenario played out in Game 4 (78-85). Back in Madrid, Musa and Rodríguez took charge, working towards the impossible. A 98-94 victory, synonymous with qualification for the Final Four! A unique event in the great history of the EuroLeague which naturally places this duel at the very top of this ranking.

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