Shock loss for Iraklis at Kifissia
Panathinaikos and Olympiakos edged closer to the top of the A1 volleyball league after Iraklis suffered a shock loss at Kifissia on January 29.
Panathinaikos defeated EA Patras 3-2 away (25-23, 27-29, 25-23, 22-25, 15-6) in the most important game of the weekend, cutting the distance from the top to three points.
Despite an injury suffered by outside hitter Marcelo Sacchi midway through the second set, the Greens put an end to EAP?s winning streak in the league.
They are also looking forward to the return to action of Costas Christofidelis, who received a one-year ban last spring for a doping offence. Panathinaikos submitted his contract for approval so that he can join the team again in a few weeks’ time.
Iraklis, meanwhile, suffered a 3-2 loss at Kifissia after a miserable first couple of sets (25-18, 25-18) that allowed the host to take the upper hand. Iraklis took the next two 25-18, 25-18, but lost the tie-break 20-18.
Olympiakos scored an emphatic 3-0 win (25-18, 26-24, 25-22) over visiting Ethnikos Alexandroupolis to move to four points under the summit.
Another exciting match was that played out between Epikouros and Lamia, with the visitor winning 3-2 at Polichni (22-25, 25-20, 24-26, 30-28, 15-13) coming from 2-1 sets down.
Aris had no problems at home with struggling Panellinios to win 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-19).
Apollon Kalamarias will be greeting PAOK on January 31.
