Halkbank 3-0 Panathinaikos: The Greens fought the beast but they turned aside

Before the game started, Halkbank was not only the favorite to play against Panathinaikos, but also to win the Challenge Cup.

Still, the Greens showed an excellent performance against the Turks in Ankara in a game where the final 3-0 does not represent the effort made.

Certainly qualifying is extremely difficult as they lose up to one set in the rematch which will be played in Maroussi (03/01) and then have to play in the golden set.

The game: The Turks started the game strong and managed to make a four-point draft (7-3) with a service weapon, giving Andreopoulos a quick timeout.

Then the greens increased their pace and immediately managed to reduce the set and later take it to 17-17. By this point, however, the hosts were running 3-0 and essentially settling the set, which they won 25-22.

In the second set, Panathinaikos came into play better and, despite whistles from the referees, managed to create a two-point advantage that he held until the middle of the set.

Halkbank managed to take the set to 17-17 and then starring Hernandez finished the set 25-20 to lead 2-0.

It was similar in the third set. Panathinaikos was facing its longest duration but at the end of the set the hosts managed to escape and finish 25-21.