PAOK reacted in the best possible way after the disappointment in the Cup, recording a clear 3:0 (25:21, 27:25, 25:16) away victory against Floisvos in a regular season match of the Greek Volley League. The success kept the race for third place alive, as the team from Thessaloniki remains just one point behind Olympiacos before their direct clash.
At the core of the success were strong serving and stable blocking, with Bulgarian middle blocker Nikolay Kolev standing out as one of the most consistent figures at the net.
Kolev " efficiency and control in the middle
| Player | Points | Attack | Ace | Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolay Kolev (PAOK) | 7 | 4/6 | 1 | 2 |
Kolev finished with 7 points and an impressive 67% attack efficiency. He also added one serving ace and two direct block points. His presence in the middle limited the hosts' front-row options and facilitated the work of the wing blockers.
The numbers clearly show high productivity with a relatively small volume of balls ", a typical performance for a middle blocker who executes his tactical assignments with maximum concentration.
PAOK's collective superiority
| Team | Aces | Attacks | Efficiency | Blocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floisvos | 2 | 40 | 47% | 3 |
| PAOK | 6 | 43 | 47% | 9 |
The difference in blocks – 9 against 3 points – was crucial, especially in the second set, decided after contested rallies. PAOK compensated for equal attacking efficiency with significantly greater pressure from service and better net organization.
A look at the standings
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 3. | Olympiacos ONEX | 35 |
| 4. | PAOK | 34 |
| 10. | Floisvos | 12 |
Only one point separates PAOK from third place, making the upcoming match against Olympiacos a direct battle for positioning before the playoffs.
For Nikolay Kolev, such stable performances in the center solidify his role as a reliable factor in the team's balance – not the most visible, but a strategically extremely important presence on the court.
