PAOK took a decisive step towards the Challenge Cup quarterfinals after winning the first leg of the round of 16 against Epicenter-Podolyany Horodok 3-0 (25:18, 25:21, 25:22). The match was played on neutral ground in the "Tabor" hall in Maribor (Croatia) and lasted 68 minutes.
First set – 25:18 for PAOK
The Greeks took the initiative early on – 7:8, but then went on a strong run and at 12:16 were already controlling the development. The moment around 15:21 proved crucial, when PAOK finally broke the resistance of the Ukrainians and closed the set without pressure.
Second set – 25:21 for PAOK
The most contested set in terms of dynamics. The score remained close to a tie until 6:8, but gradually PAOK started building an advantage – 14:16, and then 18:21. In the end, the Greeks maintained concentration and did not allow a comeback.
Third set – 25:22 for PAOK
Epicenter-Podolyany showed their most stable play right here. At 8:6 the hosts even led, but PAOK reacted calmly. After 13:16 the Greeks were already dictating the tempo, and at 19:21 they gained a psychological advantage, which allowed them to close the match in three sets.
Team statistics
| Statistic | Epicenter-Podolyany | PAOK |
|---|---|---|
| Attack points | 31 | 33 |
| Block points | 5 | 8 |
| Service points (aces) | 4 | 2 |
| Opponent errors points | 19 | 32 |
| Total points | 59 | 75 |
The decisive factor for PAOK's victory was the opponent's errors – a total of 32 gifted points, as well as their superiority in blocking (8:5). Although the aces were in favor of the Ukrainians, the Greeks compensated with more stable play at the net and significantly fewer inaccuracies.
Middle blocker Nikolay Kolev played an exceptionally strong match and finished second in scoring for PAOK with 10 points, including an impressive 6 blocks, 1 ace, +4 efficiency, and 100% attack success rate. The top scorer for the Greeks was Hernandez with 12 points, while for Epicenter-Podolyany, the only player with a double-digit score was Danilo Uryvkin with 18 points.
The return match is on January 29 in Greece, where PAOK will defend a solid advantage and will be the clear favorite for a place in the quarterfinals.
photos:cev.eu
