PAOK’s European journey this year came to an end as Dikefalos were defeated by Italy’s Milan for the second time and were eliminated in the round of 16 of the CEV Cup.

After last week’s 3-0 loss in Italy, PAOK wanted a 3-0 or 3-1 win to secure a spot in the Golden Set, but held on until 13-14 in the first set. There, Piano brought the Italians to +3 (13-16) with an ace to escape with 16-21 and win the set.

Now PAOK had no more room to maneuver, but with Kazitski’s serves it was 0-4 with “Guten Morgen” in the second set, without the situation changing afterwards (9-16, 14-21), which meant the matter with the Qualification finally ended 18-25.

However, the game wasn’t over yet as PAOK didn’t want the series to end without winning a set, and they succeeded. He took advantage of Piazza’s experiments (he started the third set by using the Belgian Diagonal-Regers as a winger) and was able to take the lead from one point and then go ahead 18-16 with pressure on serve. Truchchev’s ace and another good serve from the French brought the score to 24-19, with Dikephalos winning 25-20.

In the fourth set the Italians took an early lead and never lost the lead they had gained, reaching 20-25 for the final 1-3 set.

PAOK – Milan 1-3

The sentences: 1-3 (20-25, 18-25, 25-20, 20-25) in 98′

*PAOK’s points came from 7 aces, 39 attacks (38% efficiency), 2 blocks and 35 opponent errors (18 lost serves) and Milan’s points came from 9 aces, 43 attacks (45% efficiency), 9 blocks and 34 opponent errors ( 19 serves lost).

PAOK (Josko Milenkoski): Van Harderen 11 (11/18 ref., 68% sub. – 37% excellent), Saltaferidis, Blanckenaut 5 (2/3 ref., 2 aces, 1 block), Gatsis 4 (4/5 ref.), Takouridis 1 (1/1 ff.), Truchchev 9 (4/25 ff., 4 aces, 1 block, 48% sub. – 24% excellent) / Kokkinakis (l, 57% sub. – 26% excellent), Konstantinidis (l ), Mouchlias 3 (3/13 ff., 67% sub. – 33% excellent), Papalexiou 1 (1/6 ff.), Van De Dries 5 (4/9 ff., 1 ace), Linardos 9 (9 /12 ff.).

ALLIANCE MILAN (Roberto Piazza): Kaziski 6 (4/9 ff., 2 aces, 75% sub. – 50% excellent), Merkareho 12 (9/22 ff., 2 aces, 1 block, 47% sub. – 32% excellent), Loser 5 ( – 57% excellent), Colombo (l), Zonda, Vitelli 5 (1/2 Ref., 1 Ace, 3 Blocks), Regers 9 (7/19 Ref., 2 Blocks, 36% Sub. – 27% excellent) , Inochenji 4 (3/5 ff., 1 block), Ishikawa.