PAOK B.C. opened their EuroCup Basketball campaign with a statement performance at home, defeating La Bruixa d'Or Manresa 93-78 in a game that was decided well before the final buzzer. The Greek side controlled the tempo from the opening quarter, punished Manresa's rotations with sharp ball movement, and never allowed the visitors to settle into the kind of half-court rhythm that has made them a dangerous opponent in continental play.

Match Overview

Played in front of a loud, partisan home crowd, the contest followed a pattern that has become familiar for PAOK in European competition: an aggressive, physical opening, a mid-game surge built on defensive stops, and a composed closing stretch that protected the lead. Manresa, who arrived with ambitions of stealing a road result, found themselves chasing the game after the first ten minutes and were never able to fully close the gap.

The final scoreline of 93-78 tells the story of a team that shared the ball well and shot with confidence. PAOK's offense flowed through the paint and out to the perimeter, and their ability to score in transition forced Manresa into uncomfortable defensive decisions all night.

Key Moments

• First quarter: PAOK set the tone with an early run, converting turnovers into easy points and building a lead they would hold for the rest of the night.
• Second quarter: Manresa briefly found their shooting touch from beyond the arc, trimming the deficit, but PAOK answered immediately with a decisive scoring burst before halftime.
• Third quarter: The decisive stretch. PAOK's defense tightened, forcing contested shots and long possessions, while their own offense kept converting at the other end to push the margin into double digits.
• Fourth quarter: Manresa pressed and gambled defensively, but PAOK handled the pressure calmly, knocking down free throws and finishing inside to close out the win.

Tactical Story

The game was won in the middle of the floor. PAOK prioritized defensive rebounding and quick outlet passes, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities that Manresa could not match. Offensively, the Greek side worked the pick-and-roll effectively, drawing help defenders and then finding open shooters on the weak side.

Manresa's approach relied heavily on perimeter shooting and ball screens, but their rhythm was disrupted by PAOK's physicality on the ball. When the visitors did generate clean looks, they were often rushed, and their shot selection deteriorated as the deficit grew. Their bench contributed energy but lacked the scoring punch required to swing momentum on the road.

Standout Performers

PAOK's balanced scoring was the hallmark of the performance, with multiple players reaching double figures and the team sharing the scoring load rather than depending on a single star. The frontcourt controlled the glass and finished efficiently around the rim, while the backcourt dictated pace and protected the ball in the closing minutes.

For Manresa, the bright spots came from their perimeter shooters, who kept the scoreboard respectable during difficult stretches. Their effort on the offensive boards also created second-chance points, but it was not enough to offset their struggles against PAOK's half-court defense.

What It Means for the EuroCup Campaign

For PAOK B.C., this is exactly the kind of result that builds confidence in the EuroCup Basketball regular season. A convincing home victory of this margin strengthens their position early in the competition and reinforces their reputation as a tough team to beat on their own floor.

For La Bruixa d'Or Manresa, the loss is a reminder of how punishing road games in this competition can be. The good news is that a defeat of this nature is not fatal in the group phase, but it does raise questions about their defensive consistency away from home.

Quick Facts

• Competition: EuroCup Basketball
• Final score: PAOK B.C. 93 – 78 La Bruixa d'Or Manresa
• Result: Home win for PAOK B.C.
• Margin of victory: 15 points

With the result secured, PAOK can look ahead to their next EuroCup fixture with momentum on their side, while Manresa will regroup and look to correct the defensive issues that cost them on the road.