Olympiacos rout PAOK to secure 29th Hellenic league title
Athens, Greece, May 10, 2019. Olympiacos PIRAEUS claimed on Thursday night the title of the Hellenic men’s national league, doing so after recording three straight victories in the championship series with PAOK THESSALONIKI. In the third and last round of the finals, Olympiacos stormed to a 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-23) victory to secure their second straight title in the competition.
With their Dutch player Jeroen Rauwerdink delivering an outstanding performance in the final series of matches against PAOK, the ‘Reds’ swept their rivals aside. Rauwerdink received the award for the Most Valuable Player, as a recognition for his contribution towards the 29th national league title in Olympiacos history.
“Even though it was not easy, we were better than our opponent. This season, we lost only one time against PAOK in the semifinal of the Greek Cup. I am extremely proud of my team and my teammates. It is amazing what we accomplished in the finals and I want to thank everyone in the team and our amazing fans. I was not playing great all season, but it is important to play well when it really matters. I am really happy I helped Olympiacos win the title,” said the 33-year-old outside hitter. In the first final last week, Olympiacos won by 3-0, while in the most important game of the series in Thessaloniki, the team of Piraeus edged PAOK 3-1, after losing the first set.
MVP Jeron Rauwerdink was the real match winner for Olympiacos in the finals with PAOK.
“It was a tough season with many problems and injuries. Many people worked every day for this title and I want to thank every one of them. Olympiacos as a club always has high goals and with the fans by our side, we can achieve everything,” said Olympiacos coach Fernando Munoz Benitez.
Greek legend Konstantinos Christofidelis won his 10th title with Olympiacos, the 11th of his career and after 27 years of playing Volleyball, he will retire. “When I was young, I could not imagine that I would have won so many titles in my career. I feel blessed playing the game that I love with the team that I have been supporting as a little kid. It was not even in my craziest dreams,” said Christofidelis.
Final series
Olympiacos PIRAEUS vs. PAOK THESSALONIKI 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21)
PAOK THESSALONIKI vs. Olympiacos PIRAEUS 1-3 (25-23, 21-25, 17-25, 15-25)
Olympiacos PIRAEUS vs. PAOK THESSALONIKI 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-23)
