

PAOK B.C. handed Olimpia Milano a 89-77 defeat in Club Friendship action, controlling the game from the second quarter onward and never allowing the Italian side to build real momentum. The Greek club's balanced scoring and disciplined half-court defence made this a statement road performance against one of Europe's most recognisable clubs.
Match Overview
Olimpia Milano entered the fixture as the marquee name, but Club Friendship games are judged on rhythm rather than reputation. Milano showed flashes of the ball movement and perimeter quality that define their style, yet PAOK's response was consistently sharper — better shot selection, better rebounding, and a level of physicality that Milano struggled to match across four quarters.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olimpia Milano | 19 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 77 |
| PAOK B.C. | 24 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 89 |
Key Moments
- First quarter – PAOK set the tone. The visitors scored the game's first seven points and led by five after ten minutes, attacking the paint relentlessly.
- Second quarter – Milano close, PAOK respond. Milano cut the lead to two midway through the period, only for PAOK to answer with an 8-0 run before half-time.
- Third quarter – the cushion grows. A 9-2 spurt early in the second half pushed the lead to double digits, where it stayed for the rest of the night.
- Fourth quarter – closing it out. Milano never got closer than eight in the final period, and PAOK's free-throw shooting sealed it.
Tactical Story
PAOK won this game in the paint and at the defensive end. Their guards consistently beat Milano's first line of defence off the dribble, collapsing the help and creating open shooters on the kick-out. Defensively, they switched aggressively on screens, disrupted Milano's pick-and-roll timing, and forced the Italian side into late-clock contested jumpers.
Milano's offence was at its best when the ball moved side to side and found cutters behind the defence. Too often, though, possessions ended in isolation. Their rebounding deficit was the quieter problem: PAOK's second-chance points kept the margin comfortable even during the stretches when Milano shot the ball well.
Standout Players
Giorgos Papadakis controlled the game for PAOK, scoring in transition and making smart decisions against Milano's pressure. Nikos Stavrou was a force on the glass and in the paint, giving the visitors a physical presence that Milano never neutralised. For Olimpia, Simone Riva was the most consistent offensive threat, while Davide Fontana provided energy off the bench during the second-quarter comeback attempt.
What It Means
For PAOK B.C., beating a club of Milano's stature — even in a pre-season fixture — is a confidence builder and a useful template for how they want to defend against elite perimeter teams. For Olimpia Milano, the takeaway is about consistency: their best stretches were very good, but the gaps between them were too long, and PAOK punished every one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the final score? PAOK B.C. won 89-77.
- Who led at half-time? PAOK B.C., 46-40.
- What was the decisive factor? PAOK's interior scoring, rebounding and defensive switching.
