By George Georgakopoulos

Olympiakos is already in the final of the league after seeing off Panionios for a third time in five days, but Kolossos stirred things up in the semifinals on Saturday as it managed to beat Panathinaikos to reduce its deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

The Rhodes club celebrated a rare win over the European champion with a 73-68 score and enjoyed it as if it had just won the league.

Indeed, the Kolossos win breathes new life into the semis as it puts great pressure on Panathinaikos, who went to Rhodes without injured forward Mike Batiste, ahead of Monday’s Game 4 of the series.

That match, also on Rhodes, will be a must-win one for Panathinaikos, otherwise it will take the series to a fifth match in Athens and jeopardize the team’s preparation for the Euroleague Final Four that takes place in Istanbul on May 11-13.

On the other hand Olympiakos had no problems at Nea Smyrni against Panionios and after a shaky start to the game the Reds triumphed 87-66 to win the series 3-0 and reach the final, where they will also have home advantage.

Meanwhile it was confirmed on Saturday that Panelefsiniakos and Apollon Patras will go up from the A2 division to replace relegated Maroussi and Panellinios in the top flight.

In the women's game, Athinaikos completed the double after beating Panathinaikos in the final series with a 3-0 score on Saturday to add the league trophy to that of the cup this year.