PAOK secure historic promotion to #CEVChallengeCupM quarterfinals

PAOK THESSALONIKI advanced to the quarterfinals of the Challenge Cup after defeating MÁV Foxconn SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR of Hungary 3-1 (32-30, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19) in the second leg of the Round of 16. For PAOK, this is a real milestone, marking the first time in its history that the club has reached the quarterfinals of a European competition.

PAOK started the first set strongly, gaining an early lead at 4-1, which their opponents quickly cancelled at 8-8. The Black-and-Whites regained their advantage at 13-10, but the visitors levelled again at 14-14. PAOK pulled ahead with successive blocks, making it 17-14. The Hungarians fought back to 18-18 and even took the lead at 18-21. However, PAOK showed much resilience, tying the score at 23-23, and the set went into extra points at 24-24. From there, the teams went point-for-point until 30-30. PAOK then clinched the set with a 2-0 run, thanks to an attack by Aleksandar Ljaftov and a block by Aleksei Lobyzenko, sealing it 32-30 and taking a 1-0 lead in sets.

The second set started evenly, with the score tied at 8-8, but MÁV Foxconn SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR pulled ahead at 13-9 and widened their lead to 17-10. With the gap reaching double digits at 21-11, PAOK coach Josko Milenkoski rotated the lineup, bringing in Vasileios Mouchlias and Christos Saltaferidis to replace Ljaftov and Dimitrios Mouchlias for a breather. PAOK raised their performance, gradually narrowing the deficit to 16-23. Despite the visitors having eight set points at 24-16, PAOK achieved an incredible 7-0 run, making it 23-24. They even had a chance to tie the score, but an attack error gave the set to the visitors (25-23). 

In the third set, PAOK carried their momentum from the second, taking an early lead at 10-5. Although MÁV Foxconn SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR briefly reduced the gap to 10-7, PAOK maintained a high tempo and extended their lead to 17-9. In the final stretch, the hosts left no room for a comeback, comfortably winning the set 25-16 and going up 2-1.

PAOK started the fourth set with another strong performance, leading 5-1. MÁV Foxconn fought back to level the score at 12-12, but PAOK regained control at 15-12. With solid blocking, they maintained their advantage, extending it to 20-16 and eventually closing out the set at 25-19 to secure the 3-1 victory.

Key players for PAOK in the win were Ioannis Takouridis, Aleksei Lobyzenko, and Dimitrios Mouchlias.

Josko Milenkoski, head coach of PAOK: “European matches are never easy. You must give 100% on every ball. We played against one of the best Hungarian teams. We had a good match, except for some moments in the second set. The important thing is that we made it to the Challenge Cup quarterfinals for the first time in our history. It is a great opportunity to enjoy matches against a very good Turkish team, SK ANKARA, where I was a coach in the past. So, in January, we will play games we can enjoy. In the second set, we did not believe we could win it when we fell behind by 10 points. When the gap widened, we made changes to clear the minds of the starters. However, the players who came off the bench provided great solutions and brought us close to tying at 23-24. Unfortunately, we missed a chance to equalise. Every player must give 100% and train hard to compete at this level. I thank all the players for their contributions and congratulate them on this historic qualification.”

Menelaos Kokkinakis, vice-captain of PAOK: “This is a historic qualification for the club. We faced a strong team, whose players are skilled at playing mind games, as we experienced in Hungary. It was crucial that we won there. Today, with our fans’ support, we achieved the qualification, which gives us a psychological boost to continue improving. We took the first set, but in the second, we struggled mentally, which is something we are working on. We made a series of points that gave us the confidence to understand the match was in our hands. Winning the third set was critical. We are now facing a strong team, SK ANKARA, with very good players. We will enjoy these games and aim for another achievement for the club. Regardless of the outcome, we will keep pushing forward. I dedicate this victory and qualification to my parents, whom I love very much, just as I dedicated the previous qualification to my sister.” 

Omar Pelillo, MÁV Foxconn SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR head coach: “Congratulations to PAOK, a very strong team with experience in European competitions. We tried our best and had our chances, especially in the first set, which we could have won. We played well in the second set, but PAOK returned to their high standards in the third. In the fourth set, both teams were evenly matched, but in the critical moments, PAOK made strong plays in blocking and attack, along with some excellent serves, which gave them the advantage and the win.”