Despite seeing Teruel on a very good night, Panathinaikos survived the “golden set” and qualified for the semifinals CEV Challenge Cup with a 3-1 draw in the first game in Athens. The Greens lost 3-0 sets in regular time, but dynamically returned to the “golden set” and qualified for victory with valuable solutions from Stalekar and Van de Dries.

In the semi-finals they meet the very strong team of Halkbank from Turkey, with the first game being played away from home. The Greens have made a dynamic return to European competitions and are now continuing their journey after a magnificent win in Spain against a formidable opponent like Teruel.

The race

As in the first game in Athens, Teruel came into play more strongly on Spanish soil. The Spaniards pressed down on the greens with their service weapon and this caused them to start building a difference from the start of the set.

Panathinaikos’ reception and block defense didn’t work and Teruel quickly got away with 6 points (17-11). Andreopoulos’ players temporarily closed the gap but failed to threaten the Spaniards who finished the first set 25-21.

The start of the second set was different. Panthinaikos had a better image, improved the block and his service, resulting in him having a small lead early in the set.

But again, through his services, the Spaniards managed to turn the situation around. Piti and Ereu spoiled the shot for the greens and so Teruel won the set with 25:21 and set it to 2:0.

In the third set, the Spaniards maintained a small lead of 2-3 points and despite Panathinaikos’ efforts to get back into the game, mainly attacks from the middle, Teruel had excellent defense and an effective block, leading the game and qualifying for the ” Golden Set”: Take the set at 25:20 and make it 3:0.

In a leap of one breath, the two teams put on a dynamic punch and the blood ignited after a breach by Panathinaikos that gave the Spaniards a three-point lead. The difference disappeared with Andreopoulos’ initiatives, but Stalekar was the one who judged the match with an ace to finish the qualification Rangel with a place and give the signal for the furious celebration of the Greens.