Diagoras join exclusive group in Greek Cup lore

After cruising past PAOK in the quarterfinals, Diagoras Dryopideon have joined an exclusive group of lower-tier sides to make waves in the Greek Cup.

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An 81-66 defeat of PAOK in Egaleo on Saturday night helped Diagoras reach the semifinals of the Greek Cup for the first time in the club’s 52-year history.

One of the frontrunners for promotion from the A2 Basket League, Diagoras added to their impressive start to the season with a shock defeat over a PAOK side that would have fancied their chances to reach the Final following news of Panathinaikos’ elimination at the hands of Promitheas.

In a year that will feature the first set of semifinals to not include either Olympiacos or Panathinaikos for the first time in 20 years, Diagoras will hope to extend their fairytale run with a win over Peristeri in the semifinals.

As impressive as Diagoras’ campaign has been thus far, it’s not the first that a side from the lower divisions of Greek basketball has cause a major shock in the Cup.

FAROS KERATSINIOU (2015/2016)

Most recently during the 2015/2016 edition of the tournament, Faros Keratsiniou stunned Greek basketball with a run all the way to the Final. After edging Nea Kifissia in the quarterfinals, the Keratsini-based side pulled-off a shock defeat of PAOK in the semifinals in order to setup a clash with Panathinaikos in the Final.

Despite the momentum from their impressive run, Faros’ run was halted in the Final as Panathinaikos cruised to a comfortable 101-54 victory on home court at the OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall.

IRAKLIS (2009/2010)

Iraklis have a long history of success in the Greek top flight but while the Thessaloniki lingered in the second tier of Greek basketball during the 2009/2010, O Gireos wrote a new chapter in the club’s 95-year history.

A shock win over Panionios sent Iraklis through to the semifinals for a meeting with Panathinaikos, as the Thessaloniki side emerged as the lone second-tier side to reach the final four of the competition. With the Cup competition then using a two-game format in the semifinals, Iraklis’ run was cut short by then reigning EuroLeague winners Panathinaikos as the Trifylli advanced to face Olympiacos in the Final that season.

RETHYMNO (2006/2007)

PAOK’s habit of struggling with sides from the lower tiers raised its ugly head again during the 2006/2007 as the Dikefale tou Vorra were sent crashing out of the competition at the hands of Rethymno in the quarterfinals.

The Cretans continued their Cup crusade with a defeat of Kolossos in the semifinals, before falling just short of their first-ever Cup triumph following a defeat to Panathinaikos in the Final. Their run to the Final also coincided with a return to the top tier at season’s end thanks to a third-place finish in the A2 Basket League.

KOLOSSOS (2006/2007)

While Rethymno stole most of the headlines during the 2006/2007 edition of the Cup, Kolossos were also impressive as a side from the second-tier thanks to their run to the semifinals.

A blowout-win over Larissa in the quarterfinals helped to turn heads in Rhodes, but a narrow 74-73 defeat against Rethymno ultimately cost Kolossos a spot in their first-ever Cup Final.

AS PAPAGOU (1989/1990)

Just 13 years into the club’s basketball history, AS Papagou made headlines for their 1989/1990 Greek Cup campaign. A win over Esperos made the Athenian side just the second all-time side from the lower tiers to reach the semifinals.

Papagou were handed a reality check against Aris in the semifinals as the Thessaloniki outfit cruised to a win in the semifinals before taking tournament honours with a win over PAOK in the Final later that season.

PANELLINIOS (1986/1987)

While Diagoras might be the most recent side from outside the top flight to make headlines in the Cup, Panellinios became the first side to do so during the 1986/1987 season.

Reaching the semifinals thanks to a win over Illysiakos, Panellinios continued their run right into the finals thanks to a narrow win over Pagkratiou. The task of facing Aris in the Final was just too much of challenge for the club as Aris cruised to a 40-point win in the showpiece event.

by Peter Katsiris

Image Source: sdna.gr

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