In a third semifinal match of the playoffs, Olympiacos utilized its effective serving to clinch a 2-1 series lead over Milon. With just one more win needed to advance to the finals, the pressure is on for the next game scheduled for Thursday, March 19th.
Both teams struggled offensively, relying heavily on their serve game, a strategy reflected in their low attack efficiency rates; Olympiacos at 41% and Milon at 44%. Olympiacos’ Salvador Hidalgo led the service charge, supported by Travica. Travica, along with Koumentakis, were also top scorers, each netting 13 points, while Gustavo added 11 points, including five from blocks.
Milon, on the other hand, failed to find their service rhythm, losing 21 services and securing only 3 aces. Their standout player was Tymofiy Poluyan, contrasting with Yordanov’s low 27% attack efficiency.
The roles reversed compared to their previous encounter, with Olympiacos taking the upper hand in service pressure. Early leads by Salvador Hidalgo set the tone for the match, although Milon managed a brief comeback in the third set, ultimately falling 3-1 in sets (25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17).
Meanwhile, PAOK kept its playoff hopes alive with a 1-3 victory over Panathinaikos (16-25, 21-25, 25-20, 18-25). The win on March 21st at the PAOK Sports Arena narrows the series gap, offering a chance to level the scores in the next semifinal showdown.
Panathinaikos, experiencing its first defeat in nearly three months, saw its unbeaten streak ended by a strong PAOK team. Leading performances by Axel Truhtchev and Bram Van Den Dries, each scoring 19 points, highlighted PAOK’s offensive and defensive prowess.
