Panathinaikos Advances to Volley League Finals After Defeating PAOK

In a thrilling match, Panathinaikos secured their place in the finals of the Volley League with a decisive 3-1 victory over PAOK. The scores were 21-25, 24-26, 25-23, and 12-25. This win not only gave them a home-ground advantage in the finals but also served as sweet revenge for their earlier defeat by PAOK in the Greek Cup semifinals. Now, Panathinaikos awaits the winner of the series between Olympiacos and Milonas, currently tied at 2-2. In the first set, after an initial equilibrium, Panathinaikos surged ahead by five points. A four-point run by PAOK narrowed the gap to 20-22, but Fan Gardner sealed the set point at 25-21 for Panathinaikos. The second set saw PAOK overcome a -3 deficit thanks to effective blocking, leading 9-7 and maintaining their edge until 20-16. However, three consecutive points from Panathinaikos brought the score to 20-19 before Volakidis’s block and Katits’s serve clinched the set 2-0. The third set was dramatic, with frequent lead changes, eventually going to PAOK 25-23. In the fourth set, Panathinaikos capitalized on PAOK’s errors, leading 12-5 and securing the match 3-1. Meanwhile, Milonas leveled their series with Olympiacos at 2-2 after a commanding 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-23, 25-21), setting up a decisive fifth match.