With the Olympiacos-PAOK derby, the curtain opens on its playoffs Handball Premier (18:00) in the indoor arena of Ilioupoli, with the qualification to the final in the background!
The two teams are aiming for victory to gain the upper hand ahead of the second match with qualification being decided on the two wins. The “red and white” are the ones who managed to get the home advantage as in the regular season of the championship they finished in 2nd place of the standings at the moment when the “two-headed man of the north” occupied it 3rd place.
In the regular season of the Handball Premier, Olympiacos and PAOK each had one home win in the matches between them. Olympiacos won in Ilioupoli with 28-23 and PAOK prevailed in Mikra me 21-20.
Regarding the big derby, statements were made by the coach of the team, Nikos Grammatikos, as well as Vladislav Ostroutsko, from the side of Olympiakos, while from the side of PAOK, the technician, Panos Gousios.
Nikos Gramatikos “Starting the playoffs, we are ready to face a very good team, like PAOK and take the first step in our home for the continuation of the playoffs. We will give 100% and we are once again waiting for our people by our side to help us achieve our goal”.
Vladislav Ostruchko: “After the regular season was over, our attention turned entirely to the playoffs. Now, the semi-finals begin. We need two wins, the first one we want to get at home tomorrow. We have been preparing for this match all week. I think it will be an interesting game, in which we want to give our best. And that’s what we’re going to do”
Panos Gousios: “We have been preparing for a long time with the aim of this series of matches. We know the depth and quality of the opposition, however we are ready to challenge on equal terms, despite the home disadvantage, our qualification to the finals of the championship”
Referees: Kinatzidis – Fotakidis
Observers: Migas – Tsakonas.
We remind you that in the other semi-final, AEK will claim qualification with Diomedes Argos.
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