League overshadowed by upcoming Cup final
As Olympiakos and Panathinaikos gear up for Saturday’s Greek Cup final at Elliniko, the 22nd round of games was played on Wednesday and produced very little excitement. There is after all not much left to play for in the league’s regular season, given Maroussi?s relegation and the near-certain clinching of the top spot by Olympiakos ahead of the playoffs.
The Reds had no problems at home against lowly Ikaros Kallitheas, winning 100-63, but their coach Dusan Ivkovic is still sweating over the fitness of Acie Law for the final.
Panathinaikos similarly met with no resistance in its match at Maroussi, which was played behind closed doors due to the hosts’ financial problems, which deprived them of the tax clearance necessary to have tickets issued. Panathinaikos won 96-56 but is yet to find out whether it will be able to count on Mike Batiste for the final.
Kolossos Rhodes returned to the third spot despite its 67-60 defeat at an improving PAOK, as Panionios sat this round out. The Nea Smyrni club is now joint fourth with AGO Rethymnou, which thrashed visiting Peristeri 75-46.
In the eastern Macedonian derby, Kavala put 100 points past KAO Dramas to win by 14 (100-86), while Aris returned home from Zografou in Athens with a 79-74 victory over Ilisiakos to climb to the eighth spot.
