PAOK Women secured a 3-1 home victory over Ampelokipon W in the A1 Women on October 18, 2026, using a strong middle-section surge to take control of the match. The Thessaloniki side won 25-20, 22-25, 25-18, 25-21, recovering well after dropping a tight second set.

Match overview

PAOK started confidently, with their serve putting Ampelokipon under pressure from the opening rallies. The hosts took the first set 25-20, combining patient defense with efficient attacking from the wings. Ampelokipon responded well in the second, raising their blocking intensity and extending rallies. That set went the visitors’ way at 22-25, bringing the match back level.

The third set proved decisive. PAOK re-established their serving rhythm, forced Ampelokipon into more predictable attacks, and pulled away to a 25-18 win. The fourth set was closer, but PAOK maintained a narrow lead through the closing points and sealed the match at 25-21.

Key moments

The momentum shift came early in the third set. After a back-and-forth opening, PAOK produced a run of points behind the service line to move from 10-9 to 16-11. Ampelokipon called a timeout, but the hosts’ block had found its timing, and the gap remained comfortable. In the fourth set, Ampelokipon stayed within two points until the final stretch, but PAOK’s terminal attacking options proved too strong.

• First set: PAOK’s serving pressure delivered a 25-20 win.
• Second set: Ampelokipon levelled with a 25-22 response.
• Third set: PAOK dominated the middle phase to win 25-18.
• Fourth set: The hosts closed out the match 25-21.

Tactical story

PAOK’s success was built on serve-reception control and a varied attack. When their first pass was clean, the setter could involve the middle and keep Ampelokipon’s block guessing. That variety opened space for the pins, particularly in the third set when PAOK repeatedly found one-on-one situations on the left side.

Ampelokipon’s best spell came in the second set, when their block began to slow PAOK’s outside hitters and their defense picked up several important touches. However, they struggled to sustain that level once PAOK increased the pace of their serve. The visitors also had difficulty converting out-of-system balls in the third and fourth sets.

Standout players

Eleni Papadopoulou was central to PAOK’s win, delivering key points in both the first and third sets and finishing as the home side’s leading scorer. Maria Koutrouli controlled the middle well and gave PAOK an important blocking presence, while the libero’s reception helped stabilize the team during Ampelokipon’s strongest spell.

For Ampelokipon, Sofia Dimou was a bright spot with several well-taken kills and a strong second-set performance. The visitors showed fight, but they lacked the same consistency in transition as the match wore on.

Season impact

The three points are valuable for PAOK Women in the A1 Women standings and reinforce their home-court strength. Ampelokipon leave with a competitive performance but will feel the second set was an opportunity they could not build on. PAOK’s ability to reset after losing the second set was the most encouraging aspect of the night.