Finikas won the battle against Iraklis Thessalonikis

Finikas Syrou grabbed the chance of Despaigne absence and defeated Iraklis Thessalonikis 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-23).

This was the first loss for Thessaloniki’s team in this season. For Finikas Dokic scored 17 points and voted as the MVP of the game. Ilias Lappas has also effective performance scoring 13 points. Although loosing the game Iraklis team is still leading the championship.

Olympiakos on the other hand easily won 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 25-23) Panathinaikos. The Greek middle blocker Giorgos Petreas was amazing scoring 11 points with 3 blocks for last year champions. Juan Figueroa was voted as the MVP of the game scoring 8 points and having efficient reception.

Ethnikos dropped a point to Aris after winning 3-2 (22-25, 26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 16-14) in Alexandroupoli’s game. Kifisia won 3-1 over EAPatron having Theoklitos Karipidis in a great day scoring 24 points. Bellos (16 points) was also very effective for the home team of Kifisia. On Saturday's game PAOK made a small surprise by winning Pamvohaikos 3-1 (25-20, 25-16, 17-25, 29-27) in Thessaloniki. Apostolos Armenakis and Ivan Borovnjak was the stars for Thessaloniki’s team. 

Dokic was voted as the MVP of the nineteenth round.

Standings: Iraklis Thessalonikis 44, Olympiakos 39, Finikas Syrou 36, Pamvohaikos 33, Kifisia 25, PAOK 23, Lamia 22, Aris 21, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 19, EAPatron 14, Panathinaikos 9 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

Iraklis easily won the local derby

Iraklis Thessalonikis easily won 0-3 (22-25, 23-25, 11-25) the home team of PAOK in Pylaia. The guests displayed a very solid performance and did not leave any real chance to the home side mentored by Ioannis Melkas. Andrej Kravarik scored 16 and Rolando Despaigne 17 points for Iraklis.

Olympiakos defeated Aris Thessalonikis 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-18). The hosts started the game with real determination and focus. Menelaos Kokkinakis was the MVP scoring 11 points.

Kifisia won the team of Lamia 3-1 (25-23, 27-25, 22-25, 25-19) having Karipidis in a great day scoring 26 points and voted as the MVP.

Ethnikos Alexandroupolis suffered on Wednesday a home defeat 1-3 (23-25, 17-25, 25-20, 16-25) to Finikas Syrou. Ilias Lappas was the MVP of the game scoring 14 points with great efficiency.

EAPatron grab the chance to take the three points by winning 3-1 (25-13, 25-19, 19-25. 29-27) Panathinaikos. Top scorer of the game and hero for the local team was Akis Aspiotis (21 points).

Standings (after seventeen games): Iraklis Thessalonikis 41, Olympiakos 34, Finikas Syrou 30, Pamvohaikos 30, Lamia 21, PAOK 20, Aris 20, Kifisia 19, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 17, EAPatron 14, Panathinaikos 9 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

Olympiakos come back by wining Finikas Syrou

The bad performance of Pamvohaikos and Finikas in 15th round games helps Olympiakos to climb again in the second position of Greek Volleyleague.

On Friday’s game Lamia succeed to win2-3 (19-25 25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 12-15) for the first time in history the home team of Panathinaikos in Athens. For Lamia’s team Curovic scored 15 points and Pantakidis 7.
On Saturday’s games Iraklis Thessalonikis did not found any difficulties to win 0-3 (19-25, 25-27, 18-25) over Ethnikos in Alexandroupoli.  Andreas Kravarik was the MVP of the game scoring 14 points.
Finikas did not play effectively and lost the game against the previous year champions. Olympiakos team had the middle blocker Giorgos Petreas in a great day scoring 11 points with 5 blocks. 

Aris Thessalonikis won 1-3 (24-26, 25-21, 15-25, 22-25) the battle against the home team of EAPatron. For Aris team Kiriakidis scored 24 points and Tzelati 23.
A small surprise took place in Kifisia where the local team won 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 26-24) over the Pamvohaikos. This was the worst game of Pamvohaikos this season. At the end of the game there were many complaints about the hospitality of Kifisia.


Standings (after fifteen games): Iraklis Thessalonikis 35, Olympiakos 30, Pamvohaikos 28, Finikas Syrou 26, PAOK 17, Aris 17, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 17, Lamia 16, Kifisia 16, EAPatron 11, Panathinaikos 9 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

Greeks journalists vote for the MVP players of every game and every round but the majorities of them is unaware of volleyball techniques and are more close to managers. From this site we will have the chance to present the real stars of Greek Championship and not the most efficient promoted.

Previous Wednesday Dinamo Moscow easily disposed of Greece’s Iraklis Thessaloniki in the first match scheduled for the Challenge Round of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Cup by scoring a home win in straight sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-22) with some 2’100 fans in attendance.
This week Iraklis had the chance to win the game and fight in the golden set to continue its European campaign.

PAOK had great performance against Olympiakos

PAOK made the big surprise of the round by beating the previous year champion’s team. Pamvohaikos grab the chance and climbed in the second place.

Thessaloniki’s teams succeed to take the three points during the 14th round. The bid surprise took place in Pylaia where the home team of PAOK was very effective and finally won 3-1 (25-18, 25-19, 16-25). For PAOK Apostolos Armenakis scored 12, Kostas Girtzikis 9 and Ivan Borovnjan 14 points. Olympiakos had to play without his basic setter Dima Filippov and the lidero Pavlos Kouzounis. Aris Thessaloniki’s also managed win 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-17) against Panathinaikos. This is a very valuable win for Aris because both of the teams are trying to grab the necessary points to continue play in the first division of volleyball league for the next year. Kiriakidis and Tzelati scored 18 points each for Aris team. 

The home team of Iraklis easily won 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-21) on Saturday’s game against Lamia. The good news for Iraklis is that his basic setter Kostas Prousalis return after his injury and used by Drikos during the third set. In the same set Drikos had also used the new Greek middle blocker of Iraklis Yiannis Takouridis. Another middle blocker of Iraklis Panagiotis Pelekoudas was the MVP of the game with 11 points, 100% efficiency and 3 blocks. Iraklis Thessalonikis will face Dinamo Moscow on Wednesday the first of February for the Challenge Round of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Cup without his basic diagonal Andreas Kravarik.

Finikas celebrate his 5th win in a row by winning 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) Kifisia in Syros. For Finikas team Ilias Lappas scored 12 points.

Although losing the first set Panvohaikos finaly won 3-1 (24-26, 25-19, 25-15, 25-12) EAPatron in the last match of the 14th round. For Pamvohaikos team the American diagonal Mark Dusharme scored 19 and Jernej Potoncnik 18 points. Pamvohaikos grab the chance of Olympiakos loss and climbed in the second place of standings with 28 points. 

Standings (after fourteen games): Iraklis Thessalonikis 32, Pamvohaikos 28, Olympiakos 27, Finikas Syrou 26, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 17, PAOK 17, Lamia 14, Aris 14, Kifisia 13, EAPatron 11, Panathinaikos 8 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

The 13th round finished with no surprises.

Easily the favorites managed to win the games in the 13th round. Panathinaikos and EAPatron are facing huge economic problems.
Only in the game between Kifisia and PAOK in Athens there was a tie-break. Finally the home team of Kifisia won 3-2 (25-14, 28-26, 22-25, 24-26, 15-9) having Bellos (20 points) and Kalaizidis (14 points) in a great day.  For PAOK Apostolos Armenakis scored 15, Kostas Girtzikis 17 and Ivan Borovnjan 18 points.
In Athens although Olympiakos was playing without his basic setter the injured Fillipov he managed to won 3-0 (25-23, 28-26. 25-22) Ethnikos Alexandroupolis. On the other hand Ethnikos is complaining for the referees.  For the previous year’s champions Andres Roland Himenez scored 22 and Sotiriou 11 points.
Pamvohaikos did not found any difficulties to win 1-3 (19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 17-25) against the home team of Panathinaikos. For Pamvohaikos the American diagonal Mark Dusharme scored 15 points, Jernej Potoncnik 17 and Katsanevakis 17 with 8 blocks! The 36 year old Greek middle blocker Stavros Katsanevakis was also the MVP of the 13th round of Greek Championship.
Finikas Syrou easily won 0-3 (19-25, 18-25, 16-25) the home team of EAP in Patra. For Finikas team both Nikiforidis and Ilias Lappas scored from 9 points, Tomislav Dokic 18 and Soultanopoulos 8.
On the last game on Monday in Lamia the local team easily won 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-20) Aris Thessalonikis. For the home team Zoltan Kovacs scored 10 points with great statistics and Nenad Simeunivic 11.
It was time for Iraklis Thessalonikis to rest and have a break waiting till the next (14th) round.
Panathinaikos and EAPatron are facing huge economic problems. The experienced setter Sakis Psarras is disappointed and wants to leave from Panathinaikos and Mantekas from EAP.
Standings (after thirteen games): Iraklis 29, Olympiakos 27, Pamvohaikos 25, Finikas Syrou 23, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 17, Lamia 14, PAOK 14, Kifisia 13, EAPatron 11, Aris 11, Panathinaikos 8 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

Kalamaria is leaving ….Ronaldo Despaigne is coming

Decision of Kalamaria’s team to resign from Volleyleague because of economic problems and the return of last year’s championship MPV Ronaldo Despaigne for Iraklis.

On Tuesday’s games Olympiakos had easily won 0-3 (23-25, 16-25, 24-26) against Kifisia. For the previous year’s champions Andres Roland Himenez scored 15, Marek Novotny 10 points. The most valuable player of this game was the Greek middle blocker Giorgos Petreas who scored 15 points with 82% in excellent attacks and 5 blocks.

In Thessaloniki Finikas Syrou won with the same score 0-3 (21-25, 17-25, 23-25) Aris team. Finikas Syrou did not use the injured middle blocker Andjelco Dangubic but Greek players like Soultanopoulos, Vasilis Kournetas and Ilias Lappas were in a great day. This was the first game of Zenia Gortzianouk for Syros team. On the other hand the team of Aris was mediocre having Labis Babalioutas as the new libero. Babalioutas came to Aris after the decision of Kalamaria team to resign from Greek Volleyleague because of huge economical problems. This decision changes also the Volleleague standings because all the teams is losing the won points against Kalamaria.

On Wednesday games Iraklis succeed to win 3-0 against Pamvohaikos. Iraklis could not used the injured Greek setter Kostas Prousalis and the Latvian outside hitter Medenis Ansis. Also previous week the Latvian middle blocker Victor Korzenevics left from the team of Thessaloniki. On the other hand this was the first game of Ronaldo Despaigne with the team of Iraklis and he was effective as usual. Kostas Xristofidelis and Andreas Kravarik gave their best to won the three points against Pamvohaikos.

In Lamia there was a small battle between the local team and PAOK. Finally Lamia won 3-1 (16-25, 26-24, 25-16, 25-20) and takes the three points. The same kind of game in Athens where Panathinaikos although he lost the first set he finally managed to win 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-14) against Ethnikos Alexandroupolis.
Standings (after ten games): Iraklis 24, Olympiakos 24, Finikas Syrou 18, Pamvohaikos 16, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 11, Lamia 11, EAPatron 11, Kifisia 11, Aris 10, PAOK 7, Panathinaikos 7 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

Greek Vollleyball News from 9th round games

Panathinaikos come back by winning Kalamaria

Panathinaikos managed to win the battle against Apollon Kalamarias. This was his second win during this season.

On Thursday two of the tightest games of this round took place in Thessaloniki. In Pylaia PAOK drop a point to Aris by winning 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10). Apostolos Armenakis led PAOK with 27 points. At the same time one km away another great battle finished on tie-break. Panathinaikos even he loses the first two set finally managed to win 2-3 (25-23, 25-23, 28-30, 20-25, 10-15) against Apollon Kalamarias. For Panathinaikos team Stojkovic scored 36 points.

On Wednesday games Iraklis drop a point to Kifisia by winning 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 25-18, 17-25, 13-15). The 40th year old Andreas Kravarik was fantastic in the last set but other players of Iraklis were in a very bad day. Olympiakos easily won 3-0(25-15, 25-22, 25-16) against EAPatron and managed to reach Iraklis on top of the league. For the previous year’s champions Andres Roland Himenez scored 12 and Marek Novotny 13 points.

Finikas Syrou easily won 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20) the game against Pamvohaikos in Syros. Nikiforidis who scored 19 points, Ilias Lappas 17, Tomislav Dokic 16 and Soultanopoulos with 14 points and 8 blocks were the best players for Finikas team.

Ethnikos Alexandroupolis easily won 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-16) Lamia in Alexandroupoli.

Standings (after nine games): Iraklis 24, Olympiakos 24, Pamvohaikos 19, Finikas Syrou 18, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 14, Lamia 11, EAPatron 11, Kifisia 11, Aris 10, PAOK 10, Panathinaikos 6 and Apollon Kalamarias 4.

Iraklis and Olympiakos stayed at the top

The eighth round of the league was the round of favorites. Iraklis Thessalonikis is leading the championship followed by Olympiakos whose team easily won Panathinaikos. 

On Saturday Iraklis won 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-22) the game against Finikas Syrou. Although Iraklis had to play without the injured setter Kostas Prousalis the team had the strength to wake up after the second set and finally managed to take the three points. Nikoalos Smaragdis the experienced middle blocker of Iraklis scored 15 points helping his team to stay on the top of Greek volleyball league. Finikas after the injury of Dangubic in the first set could not resist to Thessaloniki’s team.

In Athens Panathinaikos could not fight even for a set against his major enemy. Olympiakos team easily won 0-3 (18-25, 21-25, 19-25) in a 70 minute’s game. For the previous year’s champions Andres Roland Himenez scored 19 and Marek Novotny 10 points. Panathinaikos is in the worst position of his resent history facing big economic problems.

EAPatron took the three points with great performance against Kifisia. The Peloponnesian team won 3-1 (28-26, 16-25, 25-23, 25-18) leaded by Anastasios Aspiotis.

Pamvohaikos stayed on the third place by beating 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20) PAOK with the usual suspect, the American diagonal Mark Dusharme scoring 14 points.

Sunday took place the tightest of all games in Thessaloniki where Aris managed to win 3-2 (25-17, 31-33, 25-22, 23-25, 20-18) Ethnikos Alexandroupolis in the tie-break. Aris used Rizopoulos as libero after the loss of the greatest libero of the championship the Serbian star Marko Samardzic. The president of the team had agreed to leave Marco because of his expensive contract.

Finally Lamia in the last game of the round did not found any difficulties to win 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-16) against Apollon Kalamarias  

Standings (after eight games): Iraklis 22, Olympiakos 21, Pamvohaikos 19, Finikas Syrou 15, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 11, Lamia 11, EAPatron 11, Kifisia 10, Aris 9, PAOK 8,  Panathinaikos 4 and Apollon Kalamarias 3.

New coach brings first win for Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos succeed to win 3-0 for the time against Kifisia on Friday’s game. Next day Apollon Kalamarias had also his first win by beating 3-1 Aris Thessalonikis.

With the new coach Dimirtis Kazazis putting Stathis Donas in an unusual for him position of middle blocker Panathinaikos managed to win 3-0 (26-28, 23-25, 19-25 ) over Kifisia. With Stojkovic (17 points) and Josefacki (15 points) as leaders Panathinaikos had his best performance for this season.    

Apollon Kalamarias won for the first time this season too by beating 3-1 (25-23, 32-30, 16-25, 25-22) over Aris in the local derby of seventh round. Tzelati with 23 points and Papadimitriou with 19 were the most effective players of Apollon.

In Patra Iraklis Thessalonikis had a hard time beating the local team of EAP 2-3 (28-30, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 11-15). Except the MVP Nikos Smaragdis who scored 18 points with 6 bloocks Iraklis had Kostas Xristofidelis in a great day. This was the best game for EAP this season although they did not managed to win. Georgios Papadopoulos with 16 and Madekas with 17 points were the stars for EAPatron.

Olympiakos won 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 27-25) over Lamia who is still complaining about two terrible mistakes of the referees.   For the previous year’s champions Marek Novotny scored 16 and Andres Roland Himenez 14 points.

On Sunday game Finikas Syrou easily won 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 21-25) in the game against PAOK in Thessaloniki. Ilias Lappas with 18 points and Tomislav Dokic with 14 were the best players for Finikas team.

On Monday in the last game of the round in Alexandroupoli Pamvohaikos dropped a point at the local team of Ethnikos after winning 2-3 (22-25, 25-22, 34-32, 20-25, 16-18).

Standings (after seven games): Iraklis 19, Olympiakos 18, Pamvohaikos 16, Finikas Syrou 15, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 10, Kifisia 10, Lamia 8 , PAOK 8, EAPatron 8, Aris 7, Panathinaikos 4 and Apollon Kalamarias 3.

ΠΗΓΉ: http://www.volleycountry.com/greece-volleyball-league/blog.html

Iraklis on top Panathinaikos on the rocks (greek volley news)

After sixth round games Iraklis is on top with Olympiakos in the second place. On the other hand Panathinaikos is with one step in the second division without a win. 

On Friday’s games Olympiakos won 3-0 over Aris. For the previous year’s champions Marek Novotny scored 14 and Andres Roland Himenez 11 points.

The same day Panathinaikos did not managed to get even a set against EAPatron (25-27, 23-25, 21-25) and continued facing huge problems. Anastasios Aspiotis with 18 points and Milan Jurisic with 10 pushed their team to a great victory. Also the middle blocker Georgios Papadopoulos was very effective for EAP.

Iraklis Thessalonikis is leading the Greek Championship - Greek Volleyball News 5th round games

After fifth round’s games Iraklis Thessalonikis easily stay on top by winning Panathinaikos in Athens, while Olympiakos dropped a point in the game against Pamvohaikos.

 Champions Olympiakos on Friday’s game dropped a point at Pamvohaikos after winning 3-2 (27-25, 25-19, 19-25, 24-26, 15-11). For Olympiakos team Andres Roland Himenez scored 27 points and Marek Novotny 22 . Also the Greek middle blocker Giorgos Petreas were very effective with 5 blocks for a second game in a row.  

Next day in Kifisia the local team won with the same score 3-2 (19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 16-14) over Aris. 

On other Saturday’s games Iraklis Thessalonikis easily won 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 19-25) over Panathinaikos led by Kostas Xristofidelis, when the majority of other players were mediocre. Panathinaikos had not used Gianluca Saracani and Milos Stojikovic.

In Alexandroupoli PAOK had a hard time beating the local team of Ethnikos 3-2 (29-31, 25-19, 25-22, 13-25, 12-15) with the Greek diagonal Apostolos Armenakis scoring 26 points. This was the third win for PAOK this season. 

Lamia won 1-3 (27-25, 21-25, 20-25, 28-30) over the home team of EAPatron.  Petar Curovic with 18, Nenad Simeunovic with 15 and Dimitrios Xatziiliadis with 14 were the stars of Lamia’s team. On the other hand Anastasios Aspiotis amazing performance was not enough to help EAPatron. Aspiotis had scored 31 points with great statistics.

Standings (after five games):  Iraklis  Thessalonikis 14, Olympiacos Piraeus 12, Finikas Syrou 12, Pamvohaikos 11, PAOK 8, Lamia 8, Aris 7, Kifisia 7, Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 6, EAPatron 5, Panathinaikos 1 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

The worst Panathinaikos of recent history

Iraklis Thessalonikis is leading the championship after the fourth round games. Panathinaikos who did not succeed to win in Lamia is having big problems.

On Monday game Olympiakos was the big winner beating 1-3 (21-25, 21-25, 25-19, 22-25) Finikas Syrou at the first derby of the season. For the previous year’s champions Marek Novotny scored 23 and Andres Roland Himenez 20 points. Also Giorgos Petreas were very effective with 5 blocks.

The same day EAPatron took an early lead in the battle for survival after downing Aris 2-3 in Thessaloniki (25-19, 25-21, 16-25, 21-25, 11-15). Aris team had already lost three times in tie break in Thessaloniki. EAPatron led by Anastasios Aspiotis and Andrew Pink for a second match in a row.

On Sunday game PAOK easily won 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-22) over Kalamaria with the diagonal Apostolos Armenakis scoring 18 points. This was the second win for PAOK this season.

Lamia won 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 28-26, 25-20) over Panathinaikos on Saturday. Petar Curovic and Xatziiliadis were the stars of the local team. Panathinaikos showed that those who said the Greens will struggle to stay up may have been right.

The tightest of all games was that between Pamvohaikos and Kifisia, which ended 3-2 in the Peloponnesian's favour (20-25, 25-15, 25-18, 24-26, 15-7).

Iraklis is leading the championship after his fifth win in a row. Playing smart in Thessaloniki did not found difficulties to win 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-16) over Ethnikos Alexandroupolis. Kostas Xristofidelis and Giorgos Tzioumakas had both scored 14 points for home team.

Standings (after four games): Iraklis 11, Pamvohaikos 10, Olympiakos 10, Finikas Syrou 9, PAOK 6, Aris 6, Kifisia 5, Lamia 5 , EAPatron 4, Panathinaikos 1 and Apollon Kalamarias 0.

Greek Volleyball Championship is very unpredictable

For the second round both Olympiakos and Panathinaikos had played as guests and finally lost 3-2. Iraklis and Pamvohaikos are remaining on top of the Greek League.
Champions Olympiakos suffered a 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 16-14) loss at Ethnikos Alexandroupolis on Monday after Panathinaikos lost by the same score 3-2 (17-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 15-13) at newly-promoted Pamvohaikos on Friday. PAOK had a hard time beating Kifissia 3-2 (21-25, 25-16, 25-21, 18-25, 17-15) on Saturday and only title favourites Iraklis had an easy win, downing Apollon Kalamarias 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-20) at home.
The games between Aris and Lamia and between Finikas Syrou and EA Patras will take place on November 2.
Standings (after two games): Iraklis 5, Pamvochaikos 5, Olympiakos 4, Kifissia 4, Finikas 3, PAOK 3, EA Patras 2, Ethnikos Al. 2, Aris 1, Panathinaikos 1, Lamia 0, Apollon K. 0. (Finikas, EA Patras, Aris and Lamia have a game in hand)
The third round is opening on Friday the 28th of October with the game between EA Patras – Pamvohaikos. On Sunday there are scheduled four matches Lamia – Iraklis Thessalonikis, Panathinaikos – Aris Marmouris, Apollon Kalamarias – Ethnikos Alexandroupolis, Kifisia – Finikas Syrou.
On Monday there will be the last game of third round between Olympiakos and PAOK.
We remind that Iraklis Thessalonikis played for CEV Volleyball Champions League and Lamia for played for Europeans during the week.
Iraklis recorded their second win in Pool A of the 2012 CEV Volleyball Champions League by claiming in straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-21) their away match against CSKA SOFIA. The best scorer of the game was Ivaylo Stefanov from the home side with 13 points while Andrej Kravarik clipped 12 for Iraklis.
On the other hand Lamia on Thursday managed to win 3-0 over Maccabi Tel Aviv (25-16, 25-17, 25-18) and on the golden set 15-11. In the next round matches for the 8th final of CEV cup Lamia will play against Buducnost Podgorica.

Pamvohaikos and Finikas were the big winners

Pamvohaikos and Finikas Syrou were the big winners of first round games. Although both of them played away of their home they had finally great performance.

Pamvohaikos claimed straight three set victory (23-25, 19-25, 29-31) over mediocre Lamia. This was the first match in Pamvoihaiko’s history for the volleyball league championship. From Pamvohaiko’s team the American diagonal Mark Dusharme was very effective with 71% in excellent attacks and finally scoring 21 points.

Finikas Syrou won 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 24-26, 23-25) over Panathinaikos in the last game of first round. The team of Finikas is showing from the first games that he will fight to win this year’s championship.

On Friday’s game Iraklis Thessaloniki’s managed to win Aris in the tie break (20-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-23, 8-15). Iraklis was mediocre and Drikos must work hard with his players if they want to have chances to win Noliko on Wednesday’s game for the European Champions League. In the local derby between Aris and Iraklis Michalis Sarikaysoglou was the star of the game scoring 26 points for Aris team.

Olympiakos easily won 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-17) over Apollon Kalamaria in Athens. Both the middle blocker Giorgos Petreas with 4 blocks and 16 points and the young setter Fillipov were leading the previous year’s champions to their first win.

A great battle took place in Patra on Saturday’s afternoon where the local team finally win 3-2 (23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 19-25, 17-15) over PAOK Thessaloniki’s. For EAPatron Milan Jurisic and Anastasis Aspiotis were the best players.

The same day Kifisia faced Ethnikos Alexandroupoli’s team and won 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23).

Second round games are starting on Friday with the game between Pamvohaikos and Panathinaikos. On Saturday four games are scheduled, those are Finikas vs EAPatron, Aris Marmouris vs Lamia, PAOK vs Kifisia and Iraklis Thessalonikis vs Apollon Kalamarias. On Monday’s game in Alexandroupoli the local team Ethnikos will face Olympiakos Piraeus.