The EuroLeague playoffs delivered high-stakes drama on Wednesday, May 6, as two quarterfinal matchups continued with pivotal results. In the 2025/2026 season's knockout stage, Zalgiris and Valencia both secured crucial victories to keep their campaigns alive, forcing decisive games in their respective series.
In the first game of the day, Lithuanian club Zalgiris hosted Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce. Facing elimination after trailing the series 0-2, Zalgiris displayed tremendous resilience on their home court. They managed to edge out Fenerbahce with a final score of 81-78. This hard-fought victory prevents a series sweep and cuts the deficit to 1-2, setting up a must-win Game 4 for Zalgiris.
The second quarterfinal clash saw Greek giants Panathinaikos welcome Spanish side Valencia. Despite holding a 2-0 series advantage, Panathinaikos could not close out the series at home. Valencia played with desperation and secured a narrow 91-87 road win. This result shifts the series momentum, with Valencia now trailing 1-2 but having stolen home-court advantage and forcing a Game 4.
While these two series are extended, one team has already punched its ticket to the prestigious Final Four tournament. Olympiacos, the winner of the EuroLeague regular season, has guaranteed its place among the final four teams. Their consistent performance throughout the season has earned them a direct path to the season-ending showcase event.
The playoff action continues immediately. On Thursday, May 7, another quarterfinal series resumes as Israeli club Hapoel Tel Aviv hosts Spanish giant Real Madrid. The game is scheduled for 21:00 Moscow time. Real Madrid currently leads that series 2-1 and will look to advance, while Hapoel Tel Aviv fights to extend the series on their home floor.
These results underscore the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball, where home-court advantage and series momentum can shift dramatically with a single game. Both Zalgiris and Valencia have demonstrated that no lead is safe, and the upcoming games promise more intense competition as teams battle for a spot in the Final Four.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.