PAOK come back from one set down to record 3-1 away win

On Tuesday night, PAOK THESSALONIKI gained the advantage in their quest for a spot in the 8th Finals of the men’s CEV Challenge Cup after defeating Pafiakos PAFOS in Cyprus 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17). 

In the first set, the “nervous” start of the Double-Headed Eagle’s players allowed the hosts to take the lead, 5-1, which they later increased to 9-4. The Black-and-Whites reacted and reduced the gap to 10-8, but the home team extended the margin again to 15-9. PAOK responded with an attack and two consecutive aces by Fernando Hernandez Ramos, making it 15-12, but the hosts answered back for 17-12. With three blocks by Jeffrey Jendryk and a counter-attack by Menelaos Kokkinakis, PAOK cut the difference to one point, 17-16, and moments later equalised at 18-18. Near the end of the set, a 2-0 run by the home side put PAOK in a difficult position at 23-20. The gap did not close in the final stretch, and the Cypriots took the set 25-21, making it 1-0.

With Stavros Mouchlias, Kokkinakis, and a block by Jendryk, PAOK started the second set strongly, taking a 5-1 lead, which they maintained in the early stages at 8-4. The margin later dropped to one point at 12-11, but with an attack and a block by Jendryk, PAOK gained a three-point advantage again at 14-11. In the closing stretch, a counter-attack by Nikolay Kolev made it 18-14, and PAOK kept the lead at 21-17. With a 3-0 run, the hosts reduced the score to 20-21, but Uros Kovacevic secured the crucial side-out (22-20). A block by Kolev brought two set points for PAOK. Pafiakos saved the first one, but the Bulgarian middle blocker sealed the set with another block, giving PAOK a 25-23 win and tying the match 1-1.

In the third set, Kovacevic and Hernandez helped PAOK take an early lead at 7-3, but with a 4-0 run the hosts quickly tied it at 7-7. The balance continued until 12-12, with Kovacevic and Hernandez leading the offense to 15-12. The three-point margin remained into the final stretch at 20-17, and a serve ace from Kovacevic extended it to +4 at 21-17. A Hernandez attack gave PAOK three set points at 24-21, and on the next rally, Kovacevic’s counter-attack secured the set 25-21, thus giving PAOK a 2-1 lead in sets.

PAOK entered the fourth set determined to finish the game, and with points from Hernandez and Jendryk, as well as blocks from Markos Galiotos and Kokkinakis, they quickly took a 5-0 lead. The advantage stayed in their favour at 12-7, and later increased to 15-8 with points from Kolev, Kovacevic, and Jendryk. In the final stretch, Hernandez made it +8 at 21-13. With a block by Kokkinakis, PAOK earned eight match points at 24-16. The hosts saved the first one, but Kokkinakis finished the match with an attack, making it 25-17 and 3-1 in sets. 

Chrysovalantis Mamais, head coach of PAOK: “We were late to get into the rhythm of the game. We faced a well-oiled team. We showed character in the second and third sets, turning the match around, and we won the fourth set relatively comfortably. Nothing is over yet. We need two sets in the second match to qualify, but of course we will play only for the win there as well. As for the atmosphere, it was amazing - it felt like we were playing at home. Congratulations to everyone who came, and we thank them for their support. We dedicate this victory to the memory of Nasos and to his family, whom we thank for honouring us with their presence - it was very emotional!”