After winning the Championship, PN99 also secured the Cup. Last night, they defeated the European University Warriors 66-42 in the Grand Final, claiming the double and adding another title to their extensive trophy collection. PN99 deservedly won the Winter Championship’s second-biggest tournament, as they played a very mature and at times impressive game in the final, leaving no room for hope for their opponents.
On the other hand, the Warriors failed to meet the demands of the match. They fell short of their usual strong performances, with their offense struggling (the 42 points they scored was their worst performance of the season). This, combined with the superior quality of their opponents, inevitably relegated them to the role of finalists. Despite this, the mere presence of Andreas Kokkinos’s team in two finals this season is a significant achievement in itself, and they deserve congratulations, as do the winners for their great success.
The major showdown at the Agios Dometios indoor stadium last night unfolded exactly as the champions would have wanted. From the start, they took control of the game and, except for a few brief moments, never allowed the Warriors to get back into it. At the end of the first quarter, PN99 was already leading 22-11, and by halftime, they had extended their lead to +17 (22-39), setting a solid foundation for victory.
The situation didn’t change much in the second half. The Warriors struggled to find easy paths to the basket, while PN99 continued to execute fast breaks and well-coordinated plays. With excellent shooting percentages from the perimeter, they managed to maintain and, at times, increase their lead. The third quarter ended 34-57, and the game’s outcome was effectively sealed. In the final, procedural quarter, both coaches gave playing time to their remaining players. The final buzzer sounded, ending the game 66-42 and allowing the RN99 players to celebrate their double.
For the winners, captain Michalis Toumazou had an excellent performance with 16 points, followed by Andreas Petsas with 14. Georgiades and Prokopiou were also close behind with 11 and 10 points, respectively. For the Warriors, Michalis Savva stood out with 11 points, supported by Socratous and Sophocleous with 9 and 7, respectively. Our warmest congratulations to both the winners and the losers for their excellent sportsmanship and impeccable conduct. We wish them a great continuation and hope to have them back with us next season, stronger and more competitive!
