ABU DHABI: Real Madrid made European basketball history in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, September 19, becoming the first winners of the EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup after defeating Olympiacos Piraeus 93-89 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
The inaugural two-day tournament brought together four high-profile clubs: reigning EuroLeague champions Olympiacos, 2025 EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce, 2026 EuroLeague finalists Real Madrid and UAE representative Dubai Basketball. The competition was staged at Etihad Arena on September 18 and 19.
Real Madrid established an early advantage in the final, finishing the opening quarter 24-15 ahead. Olympiacos responded and reduced the gap, but Madrid retained a 47-43 lead at half-time and entered the final quarter with a 75-72 advantage.
The Spanish side eventually held on for the four-point victory, securing the first trophy in the history of the newly introduced competition.
Tavares named SuperCup MVP
Walter Tavares was named the inaugural EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup MVP.
The Real Madrid centre returned to competition after missing the latter part of the previous season with an injury. In the final, he finished with six points and seven rebounds, while his defensive presence and contribution across the tournament earned him the individual award.
Real Madrid’s scoring was spread across the roster. Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Spanish club with 12 points, while Mikael Jantunen, Jaime Pradilla and Andrés Feliz each added 11. Facundo Campazzo contributed seven points and nine assists.
For Olympiacos, Sasha Vezenkov was the leading scorer with 22 points. Evan Fournier added 14, while Jean Montero scored 12.
The result gave Real Madrid an early piece of silverware under new head coach Pedro Martínez and came just months after Olympiacos defeated the Spanish club in the 2026 EuroLeague Championship Game. EuroLeague Basketball described the Abu Dhabi final as a rematch of that championship meeting.
Dubai Basketball finishes fourth
Dubai Basketball, representing the UAE, also featured in the historic first edition.
The UAE side met Real Madrid in Friday’s semifinal and pushed the Spanish club into overtime before losing 98-95. Real Madrid then advanced to the final, while Dubai faced Fenerbahce in the third-place play-off.
Fenerbahce won that match 85-77 to take third place. Dubai led 65-64 entering the final quarter but could not maintain its advantage, with Fenerbahce producing a late response. Talen Horton-Tucker led all scorers with 23 points, while Dubai’s Elie Okobo and Davis Bertans scored 14 apiece.
Abu Dhabi adds another major international basketball event
The SuperCup was launched by Euroleague Basketball and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism as a new competition intended to open the European club basketball season. Its first edition at Etihad Arena formed part of Abu Dhabi’s expanding calendar of international sporting events.
The four-team format featured two semifinals on September 18, followed by the third-place match and championship final on September 19.
For Abu Dhabi, the tournament also provided a UAE setting for a meeting between two of Europe’s leading basketball clubs. Real Madrid’s victory ensured that the first name engraved on the new SuperCup trophy was decided at Etihad Arena.
What happened in the EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup in Abu Dhabi?
Real Madrid defeated Olympiacos 93-89 in the final at Etihad Arena on September 19, 2026, becoming the first-ever SuperCup champions.
Who won the first EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup?
Real Madrid won the inaugural competition.
Where was the EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup final played?
The final was played at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
What was the Real Madrid vs Olympiacos score?
Real Madrid beat Olympiacos 93-89.
Who was named SuperCup MVP?
Real Madrid centre Walter Tavares was named the tournament’s MVP.
Which UAE team played in the tournament?
Dubai Basketball represented the UAE and finished fourth after losing 85-77 to Fenerbahce in the third-place game.
When was the inaugural EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup held?
The tournament took place on September 18 and 19, 2026, at Etihad Arena.
