Lidia Stoupel

Intern Reporter

Panathinaikos did not succeed to win against Lokomotiv Russia in the European Federation volleyball Cup championship. Panathinaikos wanted to raise the cup but it had to settle with second place on the “green” Olympic stadium. The clovers lost on the big final from the Russian team with 3:1 sets (25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20) and lost their chance to add one more title in its history.

The final started 15 minutes late, because the electricity stopped. In the first set, the starting hits were Lokomotov’s strength. The Russians took advantage of Panathinaikos’ tension and lead the result. With the exception of 2-1 and 11-10, the Russians were leading and won the first set with 25-19. Despite Leonis’ changes, Agames did not have many opportunities to pass Lokomotiv’s defense.

Panathinaikos did not have the chance to equalize in the second set. It managed to trouble the Russian attackers and this time, with fewer mistakes, Agamez, Erp and Geritz gained some points, which helped the team win the second set with 25-17 and to equalize the game.

During the third set, Panathinaikos was not lucky. They missed the chance to take advantage of many of the Russian mistakes and this how the set went into Russian hands with 25-20. The Russians troubled the Greek defense and despite their tries, Panathinaikos did not succeed to win the set.

The loss in the third set meant loss for Panathinaikos, who was fighting and started leading in the beginning with 10-8. The three aces, which Mouserski did during the first hits, gave the Russians a chance to increase the point difference and to win.

Panathinaikos: Erp 7, Adrae 10, Agamez 23, Depestle 2, Padaleon, Gertis 3, Stefanou/Lapas 1, Donas, Adreadis, Psaras

Coach: Leonis

Lokomotiv: Kosarev 10, Ktey 14, Korosev 4, Tetioukin 13, Kamoutzkik 1, Moureski 15, Labourn/Fomenko, Selitans, Baranov, Ignatiev.

Coach: Tzipoulin