Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are ready for the first historic semi-final of the Challenge Cup.

The first game between the two teams in the semi-final phase of the European Cup is a fact when the “Red-Whites” welcome the “Greens” at “Melina Merkouri” in Renti (07/02, 20:00, COSMOTE SPORT 8). The rematch in the closed Agios Thomas takes place on Wednesday, February 15th. at 7:00 p.m.

It is the first meeting of Greek sides in the semi-finals of a European competition, while e.gIt is the fifth time in history that there will be a Greek civil war in a European organization. It is the third time since the 1981/82 season that Panathinaikos have played Dimokritos in the first round of the Confederations Cup, winning two sets 3-0.

In the 2008/09 season, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos were again opponents in the round of 16 of the CEV Cup. Panathinaikos won 3-0 sets in Glyfada and Olympiacos 3-2 sets in Rentis and the Greens advanced to Final-4 in OAKA where they were defeated by Belogorie in the final.

Olympiacos leads the Volley League standings after 13 games and is +8 ahead of Panathinaikos after the three points he picked up against Aristotelis Skydras combined with the defeat of the “Cloverleaf” in Syros.

Alberto Giuliani counts on all his athletes and said about the match: “It’s a game with deep emotions for both sides, both for us and for the opponent. I believe in my players, but absolute focus is required. We want to take the first step, with the help of our fans, that we need to give us a qualifying lead for the next round of the competition, the finals“.

For his part, Cuban Olympic team winger Salvador Hidalgo stressed: “We are expecting a great derby and a high-level volleyball match. Our stadium will be filled with our fans and the atmosphere will be hot. We haven’t lost a home game this year and we want to go into the game with the confidence to give it our all. Together with our fans we are even stronger! We want to enjoy the moment and not take it for granted, we need to be very focused at every stage of the game and every contribution from every player is needed and appreciated. We have to be responsible to get the win“.

A last-minute decision will be made as to whether Fernando Hernandez will play for Panathinaikos, while Dimitris Andreopoulos waits until just before kick-off to see if he has the Cuban winger available.

Panathinaikos center Lukas Rangel said: “For the second year in a row we have reached the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup. We want to qualify for the final and we will fight hard for that starting tomorrow. Match against Olympiakos is always a strong fight. We want a good result that puts us in an advantageous position going into the second leg at home.”

Referees in the first game in Rentis will be Greeks, specifically the experienced Alexandros Mylonakis (1st) and Nikos Fragakis (2nd).

Last tickets available

Since then, most of the tickets for the game have been sold out, and Olympiakos announced the sale of the last remaining tickets.

The corresponding announcement in detail: “OLYMPIAKOS SFP, for tomorrow (February 7th) the first semifinals of the Challenge Cup in the closed Rentis “M. Merkouris”, against Panathinaikos, informs its fans and members :

The remaining tickets are available on Tuesday (July 2nd) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the office of the members/fans department in the “G. Karaiskakis” (under door 19-Emporiki Stoa) and then from 17:30 if there are any left (there will be an update accordingly) from Rentis.

Ticket prices are: €10 (middle stand), €20 (VIP), €30 seats (second row), €50 seats (first row).

*Please note that the membership card is not valid, only the volleyball season tickets”.