Iraklis to meet Olympiakos in final
Iraklis will face Olympiakos in the Greek Cup final on March 19, after the Thessaloniki side defeated cross-town rival PAOK 3-0 away on March 3.
PAOK was the outsider throughout this semifinal clash at Pylaia, but it gave Iraklis a good run for its money in the first set, which ended 27-25 for the visitor.
The loss of two set-points at the end of the first set weighed heavily on PAOK’s psychology, with Iraklis landing the second easily at 25-16.
The quality of the visitors counted in the third set, too, as they overturned a 14-13 PAOK lead to win 25-22 and qualify to the final.
The start of the match was delayed by 20 minutes as PAOK fans showered the court with pieces of paper and launched a loud banger.
The match was also stopped for a few minutes during the third set as PAOK fans abused Iraklis setter Costas Prousalis, a former PAOK player, and hurled objects onto the court.
Iraklis and Olympiakos will play the final at Orestiada in northeastern Greece.
Also on March 3, the federation presented the national team’s new coach, Alekos Leonis, who used to serve at Iraklis.
