We saw another exciting game in this year’s Men’s Volley League. PAOK and Olympiacos provided a rich spectacle for volleyball fans as the double-header won 3-2 sets and made the series 1-1.

The two teams put up a terrible fight, they fought for every point and PAOK was the one who managed to get the win as they were better in detail. The series is now moving to Melina Merkouri, where Olympiacos will host PAOK next Tuesday (25/04).

The match: Both teams showed us from the start that a great derby awaited us because they went hand in hand from the start. Olympiacos managed to escape two points (18-20) but PAOK equalized immediately.

The red and white team reached a double set bowl (22-24) with the attacks of Pagenk and Koumendakis, but it was at this point that Alexandros Raptis services spoke. The Greek winger caught an ace and spoiled Olympiakos reception, after which PAOK ran 4-0 to finish the set 26-24.

The picture was similar in the second set, as the two teams constantly took turns in the lead. Whoever went into the final stretch with a narrow lead was once again Olympiacos.

This time, however, Giuliani’s players didn’t pass up the opportunity after they managed to monetize their lead and equal the 1-1 in sets at 25-22.

PAOK dominated in the third set. Milenkoski’s players were excellent and with the block defense absolutely working, they managed to easily win the third set 25-18 and level at 2-1.

With their foot on the gas, PAOK entered the third set and built a difference that reached all six points (14-8).

PAOK managed to hold a big lead up to 18-13. From there, Olympiacos, armed with services from Pagenk and Hidalgo, managed to run 8-2 to take a 20-21 lead. Juniali’s players, who saw Stern spring into action on offense, completed their epic excitement, finishing the set 25-21 with a 12-3 run overall.

Thus, the two teams were led into the tiebreak where they battled point by point until 11-11. It was there that PAOK played with Voulkidis for the first time, with the match referee putting in touch with Tziavras. The red and white protested, but could not apply for video control for this specific phase, as this is not provided for in the regulations.

So the first decision of the referees counted and it was 12-11 in favor of PAOK. Then Milenkoski’s players managed to finish the set and the match at 15-12 and 3-2 sets.

PAOK – Olympiacos 3-2

The sentences: 26-24, 22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12

*PAOK’s points came from: 11 aces, 49 attacks, 17 blocks, 32 opponent errors and Olympiakos SFP came from: 11 aces, 56 attacks, 4 blocks, 34 opponent errors.

PAOK (Josko Milenkowski): Tag 8 p.m. (5/17f., 1 block, 2 aces, 59%f., 23%f.), Walsh 1 (1/2f.), Voulkidis 9 (3/3f., 4 blocks, 2 aces), Raptis 21 (14/41 fp., 3 blocks, 4 aces, 48% rep., 25% ref.), Skrendau 15 (9/14 fp., 6 blocks), Van de Dries 21 (16/33 fp., 3 blocks, 2 aces) / Kokkinakis (l. – $20 p., 10% p.), Sotiriou 1 (1/1 p.), Gatsis 1 (1 ace), Takouridis.

OLYMPIACOS SFP (Alberto Giuliani): Payenk 12p. (9/14f., 1 block, 2 aces), Star 15 (14/36f., 1 ace), Koumendakis 14 (11/27f., 2 blocks, 1 ace, 48%f., 28%f.), Travitsa 2 (2/3 ref.), Linardos, Hidalgo 22 (15/34 ref., 7 aces, 57% ref., 35% ref.) / Tziavras (l. – 52% ref., 33% ref.) , Dalakouras , Zoupani 2 (2/4f.), Papagelopoulos, Komitoudis.

Schedule for the final

1st final: April 18th

• Olympiacos SFP – PAOK 3-1

2. Volley League Finals: April 22

• PAOK – Olympiacos SFP 3-2

3. Volley League Finals: April 25

• 19:15 (ERT-3): Olympiacos SFP – PAOK

4. Volley League Finals: April 28

• 19:15 (ERT-3): PAOK – Olympiacos SFP

5. VolleyLeague Final (if required): May 2nd

• 19:15 (ERT-3): Olympiacos SFP – PAOK

*The champion will be judged after 3 wins