In Brief
Near East claims another A1 basketball scalp Near East, an A2 side, continued its impressive run in the Greek Cup, as it has taken a second A1 scalp in a week. After defeating Peristeri on Wednesday, the Kaisariani side saw off Kavala on Sunday, winning 71-63. Iraklis is another A2 side who has advanced to the next round; after beating Olympiada Patras 79-69 away on Sunday it will be facing Near East tomorrow in an all-A2 clash that will offer a place in the quarterfinals. In the other games played on Sunday PAOK returned from Lavrio with an 83-73 victory and Trikala thrashed lowly Icari Serron 86-59 away. Tomorrow PAOK will host Trikala for the other quarterfinals spot that remains open. The other quarterfinalists are last season’s top six teams in the league. Vouliagmeni, Panionios learn Euroleague fate Vouliagmeni finished second with three wins and one defeat in the fourth qualifying group of the Euroleague, water polo’s top club competition, and advanced to the second qualifying round. In yesterday’s draw, the Athens club was rather happy to be the host of the group that includes Vojvodina (Serbia), Spartak Volgograd (Russia) and host Honved (Hungary). Panionios, on the other hand, had a tougher draw, as it will face Brescia (Italy). Sibenik (Croatia) and host Eger (Hungary). Rugby Despite having many rookies on its roster, the Athens Rugby Club appeared ready to hold onto its title in the Greek championship, thrashing the Spartans 46-7 in the first round of the new league. In the other games, the Rhodes Colossi dismissed the visiting Thessaloniki Lions 57-15 and Makedones Evosmos upset host the Attica Springboks 15-10. Windsurfing Even without Olympian Nikos Kaklamanakis, the national RSX team took the silver medal in the team race of the Open European Championship at Palermo, Italy, on Sunday. The Greek team consisting of Byron Kokkalanis, Giorgos Karagiorgos and Angeliki Skarlatou was second only to Poland and ahead of Italy.
