Panathinaikos and PAOK off to flying start in #CEVChallengeCupW

Two Greek teams with a rich history in the European Cups – Panathinaikos AC ATHENS and AC PAOK THESSALONIKI – have started their journey in the 2024 edition of the women’s Challenge Cup with comprehensive home victories over opponents from the Netherlands and Cyprus, respectively. 

After reaching the 8th Finals last year where they lost to eventual competition winners Reale Mutua Fenera CHIERI of Italy, Panathinaikos AC ATHENS have returned to contest a Challenge Cup match and did so in style, courtesy of a 3-1 home victory (28-26, 21-25, 25-18, 25-16) over Djopzz ZWOLLE of the Netherlands. 

Kenia Carcaces Opon, player of Panathinaikos: “The first match is always tough, but I am confident that we will play better in the second. Our opponent is a young team with much energy, and they gave us a hard time. We are happy with the win, and we are thinking of the re-match already. I enjoyed the atmosphere brought by our fans.”

Pascal Veneman, head coach of Djopzz ZWOLLE: “In the two first sets we played well, and I think we put much pressure with our block and serve. We lost the first set due to some small details. In the second set we had the upper hand as we continued to play at a high level. We could not keep the same level in the next two sets as we lost our strength. Moreover, Panathinaikos, which is a team with much quality, managed to improve during the game. In the re-match we expect to learn from our mistakes. It was a great experience to play at this level.” 

Lisa Nobel, player of ZWOLLE: “In the first sets we showed that we controlled the match and we fought. Panathinaikos managed to improve during the game and ended up winning. In the re-match we will do our best and we expect a lot of fans to be there.” 

In another matchup featuring a Greek team with much history, AC PAOK THESSALONIKI recorded a 3-1 victory (25-21, 16-25, 25-16, 25-23) over their neighbours of Olympiada Neapolis NICOSIA from Cyprus. 

In the first set, the two teams were closely matched early on, with the score standing at 8-7. However, PAOK improved their performance significantly, using effective blocking to cruise to a 14-9 advantage. PAOK maintained a comfortable lead at 19-14 and eventually won the opening set 25-21. In the second set, the two teams engaged in a neck-and-neck race with a tie at 10-10. At this point, Olympiada made a small run, eventually leading 15-11. Building on this advantage, the visiting team moved the score to 21-15 in their favour. PAOK attempted to make a comeback but fell short, resulting in a 16-25 set win for Olympiada. PAOK dominated the third set, taking an early lead and putting pressure on the Cypriot team (10-4). Maintaining control of the set and creating a significant lead at a crucial point, PAOK eventually won the set 25-16. In a closely contested fourth set, Olympiada took an early lead at 11-8. However, PAOK responded with a streak of points to level the set at 12-12. PAOK edged ahead at 18-16, but Olympiada equalised again at 20-20. In the end, PAOK showed their strength and won the set 25-23, thus securing a 3-1 victory. Key players in PAOK's victory were the opposite player, Sharon Chepchumba Kiprono (21 points), and the middle blocker, Andromachi Tsiogka (five blocks). 

Darko Zakoc, head coach of PAOK: “First of all, I want to congratulate my players for the victory. The game was tough, but at certain points, especially in the fourth set, we played at the level we want. We have left behind and continue to leave behind the problems we face. Every win is important for the future. Today, the job is not finished; it was just the first half.” 

Kashauna Anita Williams, player of PAOK: “I liked the energy on the court. We are still in the early stages, and we work very hard. As time goes by, we will improve game by game. We are looking forward to the re-match and will work hard in training, wanting to prove our worth in the away game."

Patryk Fogel, head coach of Olympiada: “I am proud of my team because we played at the same level as PAOK. We were strong in defense and offense. We did not come here as the ‘poor sister’ of Greek Volleyball. We respect PAOK, which is a great club, but we also want to become a great club. Congratulations to my players.” 

Elsewhere, Finland’s Pölkky Kuusamo KUUSAMO lost 1-3 (16-25, 25-22, 14-25, 17-25) to France’s Neptunes NANTES. Right from the start, the match promised a great volleyball evening for the 500+fans in attendance, as the first rally showed great actions from both sides of the court. The opening point eventually went to the visiting team after Amélie Rotar’s successful attack. The set ended with a block point for Neptunes NANTES. Pölkky KUUSAMO took control of the game in the second set and won it with an attack scored by their American outside hitter Carlyle Nusbaum. In the third set, Neptunes NANTES wrestled back control of the match – something which they were able to hold onto until the end of the fourth set, thus securing a 3-1 away victory. 

Overall, the game featured great performances from both sides of the net but in the end Neptunes NANTES maintained a higher level throughout the match. Their defensive game and strong blocking were a challenge that the hosts found difficult to deal with. In addition, their opposite Taylor Mims showed a great variety of shots, which Pölkky KUUSAMO had difficulties defending. Carlyle Nusbaum from Pölkky KUUSAMO and setter Arelya Karasoy from Neptunes NANTES were chosen as the best players of their respective teams. 

The re-match will be taking place next Tuesday, October 17, in Nantes, with the French team needing to win two sets to secure their progress to the next round.