PAOK B.C. 87, Ratiopharm Ulm 78 — PAOK B.C. protected home court with an 87-78 EuroCup Basketball win over Ratiopharm Ulm, using a decisive third-quarter run and composed late-game execution to hold off the German side. The match was competitive for long stretches, but PAOK’s physical defense and timely shot-making made the difference in the final minutes.

Match overview

Both teams traded blows early, with Ulm’s ball movement creating open looks and PAOK answering through drives and offensive rebounds. The first half was tight throughout, and PAOK took a narrow 44-41 lead into the locker room. Neither side managed to establish a comfortable advantage, and the game appeared destined for a tense fourth quarter.

The hosts changed that with a strong start to the second half. PAOK opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run, forcing Ulm into hurried possessions and converting defensive stops into points at the other end. The Greek side led by 12 entering the final period, and although Ulm twice cut the deficit to four points, PAOK responded with free throws and a crucial corner three to close out the win.

Key moments

• Third-quarter burst: PAOK’s 10-2 run immediately after halftime created the separation that Ulm spent the rest of the night chasing.
• Ulm’s last push: A quick 7-0 spurt midway through the fourth quarter brought the visitors within four and silenced the home crowd briefly.
• Closing execution: PAOK answered with a patient possession that ended in a corner three, then made enough free throws down the stretch to keep Ulm at arm’s length.

Tactical story

PAOK’s defensive game plan centered on disrupting Ulm’s rhythm beyond the arc. The hosts closed out hard on shooters, fought through screens, and forced Ulm into contested pull-ups rather than clean catch-and-shoot opportunities. On the glass, PAOK’s forwards were aggressive, limiting second-chance points and giving the offense extra possessions.

Offensively, PAOK leaned on its guards to create off the dribble. The hosts attacked the paint early, drawing help defenders and opening up kick-out threes. When Ulm adjusted by packing the lane, PAOK moved the ball patiently and found cutters along the baseline. Ulm’s own offense was efficient at times, particularly in transition, but the German side struggled to string together stops when it mattered most. PAOK’s ability to control the defensive rebound in the fourth quarter was a decisive factor.

Standout performers

PAOK guard Dimitris Kalaitzidis was the catalyst, scoring 18 points and adding six assists. He repeatedly broke Ulm’s first line of defense and made the right decision in pick-and-roll coverage, either pulling up for mid-range jumpers or finding open teammates. Forward Kostas Papadopoulos added 14 points and nine rebounds, providing physicality in the paint and a steady presence on the offensive glass.

Ratiopharm Ulm’s Lukas Brenner led the visitors with 16 points, showing range from beyond the arc and attacking closeouts effectively. However, Ulm’s supporting cast was inconsistent, and the team’s three-point shooting cooled in the second half. The visitors also turned the ball over at costly moments, allowing PAOK to score easy points in transition.

Season impact and standings picture

The win strengthens PAOK’s position in the EuroCup Basketball standings and reinforces their home-court advantage in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested group. For a club with a proud basketball tradition, protecting home games is essential, and this performance showed the kind of defensive identity that travels well in knockout basketball.

Ratiopharm Ulm leave with a valuable lesson. The German side competed for three quarters but could not match PAOK’s physicality when the game tightened. Ulm will need to improve its half-court offense and rebounding discipline ahead of its next EuroCup fixture. PAOK, meanwhile, can build on a win that combined grit, timely shooting, and smart late-game management.