“Eternal” derby in Rentis against the background of the advantage!
On Saturday afternoon at the “Melina Merkouri” indoor gym Olympiacos will host Panathinaikos as part of the 11th matchday of the Volley League in a match that will, in all probability, determine the team that will be the home team in the finals of the playoffs.
On the one hand, the host Olympiakos. The Greek doubles, just before the break, showed some signs of fatigue due to the consecutive matches in Greece and Europe, but closed the year by winning the League Cup. The “red and whites” measure the ultimate against the “eternal” opponent, after defeating him in the first round in Metz 3-1 set, as well as in the semi-final of the League Cup with the same score. In the standings, Olympiacos is at 3rd place with an 8-2 recordwith the defeats by Pegasus in Polichni and Finika in Syros to have put his back against the wall, turning the victory in the derby into a one-way street.
Olympiakos coach Andrea Gardini said: “Tough match, for sure, because Panathinaikos is a very good team. Sure, we are not at our best, but we will fight hard, a hard match at home, with the world on our side. We need our world. Our fans are the best in the world! They can help us in the difficult moments of the match.”
Olympiakos winger Raphael Koumentakis said: “Ahead of us is a very demanding match against Panathinaikos. We know it will be a tough game. We have been preparing all week. With the world on our side, who is our best player, we hope to be the winners in this difficult match.”
On the other side, the highly formed and pioneer Panathinaikos! The “greens” after the defeat in Kifissia and exclusions from its continuation Challenge Cup and League Cuphave shown an upward trend, since they count six consecutive victories, five of which with a clean score.
Great help in the transformation of the “clover”, has been given by Maarten Van Garderen who returned from his injury and provided solutions both in the reception and in the attack.
Panathinaikos coach Dimitris Andreopoulos said: “I have said before that the matches against Olympiakos are always special, however this particular one is decisive. We succeeded and are first in the standings under difficult conditions as our one key foreigner started playing in the last match we played against PAOK. In case of victory over Olympiakos, we take the lead for winning the first place. If the opponent wins, then the conquest of the first place tilts towards him.”
The Canadian passer of Panathinaikos Max Elgert said: “We work very hard in training to bring out our best in the matches. Our position in the standings speaks for itself but we should continue to be there until the end of the season and go into the playoffs with home advantage. The match against Olympiakos will be one of those matches that will also decide the ranking”.
Prehistory:
Since 1998, when the new system of recording points was established in the league, they have been done 82 league games and Olympiacos leads in victories 51-31.
At home in the league, Olympiacos has a 4-0 winning streak in the “eternal” derby.
Check out this Instagram post.
Volley League – 11th matchday
Saturday January 11, 2025
“Melina Merkouri” Gymnasium Renti, 17.00 (ERT-2): Olympiacos S.F.P. – Panathinaikos A.O.
Referees: Papadogoulas, Mylonakis, Referee Observer: Raptis, Match Observer: Kalpaktsoglou, Supervisors: Kapotis, Zarbinis, Secretariat: Theodoridou.
Gymnasium “Alexandros Nikolaidis” Polichni, 18.00 (Live Streaming ESAP TV You Tube): Pegasos Polichni – A.O.N.S. Milon
Referees: Vassiliadis, Papakosmas, Observer: Karabalasis, Supervisors: Lumsi, Stavridou, Secretariat: Paspala.
Gym “Sofia Befon” Faliro, 20.30 (Live Streaming ESAP TV You Tube): A.O. Flisvos – A.S. Athlos Orestiada
Referees: Gerothodoros, Meneslis, Observer: Georgouleas, Supervisors: Samothrakis, Papagiannopoulos, Secretariat: Bitsika.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
PAOK Sports Arena Gymnasium, 17.00 (Live Streaming ESAP TV You Tube): P.A.O.K. – O.F.I.
Referees: Avramidis, Mouzoulas, Observer: Michelinakis, Supervisors: Vasdekis, Psychou, Secretary: Hatzigeorgiou.
“Dimitrios Vikelas” Gym, Ermoupoli, 18.00 (Live Streaming ESAP TV You Tube): A.O. Finikas Syros – A.O.P. Kifissia
Referees: Voudouris, Prentzas, Observer: Perros, Supervisors: Vroutsis, Syrigos, Secretariat: Misiaka.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
