Playing in front of some 1,000 Panathinaikos supporters, who were rather well-behaved, Olympiakos took the first set 25-21 thanks to their
excellent reception and the nerves on the home side.
Panathinaikos, who had Brazilian outside hitter Marcelo Sacchi for the first time in their line-up, bounced back and won the next two 25-23, 25-23, and looked good to win the game when they also led in the fourth set.
However, Dimitris Tzourits led Olympiakos's fight-back and earned himself the title of the week's Most Valuable Player. The Reds won the fourth 26-24 and the tie-break 15-11 for their second victory over Panathinaikos this season, after also winning the Super Cup on Santorini.
The result has allowed Iraklis to open a four-point gap at the top of the table. As the Thessaloniki side had beaten Ethnikos Alexandroupolis 3-0 away (26-24, 25-19, 25-20).
PAOK was the only home team to win, but only just, as they defeated Kifissia 3-2 (25-18, 22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13).
Lamia continued their winning streak with a 3-1 triumph at Aris. EA Patras overcame struggling Epikouros 3-0 away while Apollon Kalamarias boosted their chances of survival with their 3-1 victory at Panellinios.
Ethnikos Al. 0 Iraklis 3 (24-26, 19-25, 20-25)
Aris 1 Lamia 3 (22-25, 25-18, 19-25, (19-25)
Epikouros 0 EA Patras 3 (24-26, 18-25, 23-25)
Panellinios 1 Apollon K. 3 (28-26, 20-25, 25-27, 17-25)
Panathinaikos 2 Olympiakos 3 (21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 24-26, 11-15)
PAOK 3 Kifissia 2 (25-18, 22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13)
Standings (after 11 games): Iraklis 28, Panathinaikos 24, PAOK 22, EA Patras 22, Lamia 21, Olympiakos 19, Aris 15, Apollon K. 11, Kifissia 11, Ethnikos Al. 10, Epikouros 6, Panellinios 6.
Olympiakos and Panellinios have a game in hand.
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