EA Patras rebounds to overcome Greens
EA Patras came from two sets down to defeat league leader Panathinaikos 3-2 at home yesterday and inject fresh interest in the race for the top spot of volleyball’s regular season. The big surprise, however, came from Finikas Syrou, which won at Iraklis. Panathinaikos took the first couple of sets 26-24 and 30-28 in Patras, but EA Patras took advantage of the visitors’ tiredness from their European match on Thursday to win the other three sets 25-22, 25-22, 15-10. Olympiakos, in second, has now moved within four points of Panathinaikos, thanks to its 3-0 away win over Milon in Nea Smyrni (22-25, 20-25, 20-25). Iraklis may be unbeaten in eight games in the Champions League, but at home it is seriously struggling as its home loss to newly promoted Finikas Syrou confirmed yesterday. The Cyclades side won the first set 26-24 and saw its confidence soar to take the two other sets 25-22, 25-23. Elsewhere, Aris beat crosstown rival Apollon Kalamarias 3-0 and Lamia triumphed 3-1 at Ethnikos. On Saturday, a capacity crowd at Gerakas watched the women’s spectacular All-Star Game, which ended in a 2-1 win for the Greek team over the international one.