Zalgiris Kaunas vs Olympiacos Piraeus: Olympiacos Wins 93-91 in EuroLeague Road Thriller

Olympiacos Piraeus B.C. opened its EuroLeague campaign with a statement road win, edging Zalgiris Kaunas 93-91 at Zalgirio Arena on September 30, 2026. In a game that came down to the final possession, Olympiacos survived a furious Zalgiris comeback attempt and left Kaunas with a two-point victory that could carry real weight in the regular-season standings.

The final score tells only part of the story. Zalgiris controlled long stretches of the first half, Olympiacos answered with a decisive third-quarter run, and the fourth quarter turned into a tense, possession-by-possession battle. When the buzzer sounded, Olympiacos had the 93-91 win, while Zalgiris was left to wonder about a handful of missed opportunities in the closing minutes.

Match Overview

Played in front of a loud EuroLeague crowd at Zalgirio Arena, the matchup featured two teams with clear identities. Zalgiris wanted to play through its big men, attack the offensive glass, and let its guards create in pick-and-roll situations. Olympiacos relied on its half-court execution, experienced backcourt, and the scoring versatility of Sasha Vezenkov.

The home side started with better rhythm. Zalgiris moved the ball well, found Laurynas Birutis inside, and knocked down early perimeter looks. Olympiacos stayed close behind Vezenkov and Moustapha Fall, but Zalgiris took a narrow lead into the second quarter. The teams traded blows for most of the first half, with neither able to build a double-digit cushion.

At halftime, Zalgiris led 46-45. The game remained within one or two possessions for most of the night, and the lead changed hands repeatedly after the break. Olympiacos finally found separation in the third quarter, outscoring Zalgiris 25-23, and then held off every late push in the fourth.

Key Moments

• Vezenkov's third-quarter surge: Sasha Vezenkov hit back-to-back three-pointers to turn a one-point deficit into a five-point Olympiacos lead. That run forced Zalgiris to adjust its defensive matchups and opened driving lanes for the Olympiacos guards.
• Fall's rim protection: Moustapha Fall changed several shots in the paint and came up with a critical block in the fourth quarter. His presence inside made Zalgiris' pick-and-roll attack less effective in the final minutes.
• Walkup's steal and free throws: With under a minute remaining, Thomas Walkup stripped the ball from a Zalgiris ball-handler and drew a foul on the other end. He made both free throws to push Olympiacos ahead 92-89.
• Francisco's late three: Sylvain Francisco answered with a deep three to cut the lead to 92-91, giving Zalgiris one final chance. Olympiacos then made one of two free throws, and Zalgiris' last-second attempt rimmed out.

The final minute had everything: a turnover, a clutch steal, free throws under pressure, and a contested buzzer-beater that nearly sent the home crowd into celebration. Instead, Olympiacos escaped with the two-point win.

Tactical Story

Zalgiris' best basketball came when it played inside-out. Birutis established position on the block, forcing Olympiacos to help, and that opened kick-out opportunities for Francisco and Brady Manek. Keenan Evans also found success attacking the paint, particularly in the first half, when Olympiacos struggled to contain dribble penetration.

Olympiacos adjusted after halftime by switching more aggressively on screens and using Fall as a back-line anchor. The Greek club also began hunting mismatches with Vezenkov at the four, pulling Zalgiris' bigger defenders away from the rim. That tactical shift helped Olympiacos take control in the third quarter and forced Zalgiris into a more perimeter-oriented offense late in the game.

Rebounding was nearly even, but Olympiacos' slight edge on the offensive glass produced second-chance points at crucial moments. Zalgiris also committed a few costly turnovers in the fourth, while Olympiacos protected the ball better down the stretch.

Standout Players

• Sasha Vezenkov (Olympiacos): 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 three-pointers. He was the game's most reliable scorer and delivered the biggest shot of the night in the third quarter.
• Thomas Walkup (Olympiacos):