Olympiacos scored its second victory in the series of Handball Premier finals, which prevailed 24-22 of AEK in extra time (21-21 cc) as typically the home team in “G. Chalkidis” of of Nice (for today’s match he could not use the Ilioupoli Stadium).
So the Piraeus did it 2-1 and they need one more win to return to the championships, having home advantage as well. It is recalled that the 4th finalhosted by “Enosas”, will be held on Thursday (13/6) behind closed doors – so most likely in OAKA – due to the relative punishment of the “two-header” by the DEAB.
In one more game-thriller, in the normal duration of which, as in the previous one, neither team took a lead of more than two goals (twice each, but with the opponent coming back). On the contrary, in the extra time, Olympiacos built on the lead they took, then having a clear mind to manage it.
The game:
“Tight” match from the first minutes, with changes in the score, which remained low. A quick turnaround for AEK, who led by two goals (3-5 and 5-7). However, Olympiacos did not let the “Union” escape, thanks also to its good transition after the steal (characteristically the goals in an empty net by Savva and Tziras). The Greek winger was one of the standouts of the home team, putting his team in front (10-9), but the “two-headed” overturned the score again, going into the break with a one-goal lead (10-11).
The “red and white” entered the second half better, taking the lead again (13-12) again with Tziras. The scene was reversed compared to the first half, as this time it was Olympiacos who took a two-goal lead (18-16 and 19-17), with AEK reacting and equalizing (19-19).
All this in a game with a lot of tension and a thriller finale once again. Besides, neither team took a lead of more than two goals in regular time (Olympiacos did it in overtime), as well as in the second final. Six minutes before the end, Passias put Piraeus ahead again (21-20). The next goal was scored at… 58:13 (the match remained closed) and it was for AEK, with Madalinic equalizing with a penalty kick to make it 21-21. Good defense for the “yellow and black” in the penultimate phase, but their attack was bad in the last (having the opportunity for the “double” with… buzzer beater), with the score remaining as it was (21-21) and the match to go to overtime.
Two and a half minutes had to pass before a goal was scored in extra time, with Savva making a powerful shot to make it 22-21. Another nice finish from Montoro made it 23-21 for the “red and whites”, who now had both the momentum and a clearer mind.
Another fine shot from Savva for 24-21 three minutes before the end of extra five minutes, with Mandalinic also cutting it with a smart finish to make it 24-22, which was the final score.
The five minutes: 2-1, 3-4, 5-6, 7-7, 8-8, 10-11 (m), 13-13, 14-15, 18-17, 19-19, 21-20, 21-21 (et al.), 23-21, 24-22
Olympiakos (Babic): Kotanidis, Tziras 6, Karabourniotis, Papavasilis 3, Tzimboulas, Papatonopoulos, Kandylas 2, Sliskovics 3, Dombris, Tsigaridas, Passias 3, Montoro 1, Slavoulitsa 1, Cavtits 1, Michaelidis 1, Savvas 3.
AEK (Bouzon): Arabatzis 2, Tick, Jonson 2, Madalinic 8, Mallios, Teper, Tome, Papadionisiou, Liapis 3, Arsic, Belasen 2, Sokolic 1, Miller 1, Salem, Lemos 3, Kederis
Referees: Naskos-Haritsos, Two minutes: 2-5, Penalty: 0/1-2/2
Watch the match here:
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