PAOK Upsets Olimpia Milano 89-77 in Preseason Friendly

PAOK Thessaloniki caused a major upset by defeating Olimpia Milano 89-77 in a preseason friendly match in Italy. This was considered the most challenging test in the Greek club's preparation period and marked their third consecutive victory during their Italy training tour. Cedi Osman, a former NBA player who previously played for Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, delivered an impressive performance with 19 points to become PAOK's top scorer. Alongside him, Nanak Mitrou-Long contributed 16 points, helping head coach Andrea Trinchieri's team secure a 12-point victory over their EuroLeague opponents. The standout feature of PAOK's play was their three-point shooting. The Thessaloniki-based team showcased excellent shooting from beyond the arc with a 40% accuracy (12/30). This figure exceeds the average of EuroLeague teams, which typically hovers around 35-38%. However, a cautious perspective on the true significance of this victory is warranted. Olimpia Milano is believed to have implemented load management for key players, with many important players either not playing or receiving limited minutes. This undermines the result as a true reflection of the quality gap between the two teams. Another significant detail is the absence of other foreign players at PAOK, including Jerian Grant and Bryn Forbes. Both are currently in individual training programs, suggesting the coaching staff is implementing a gradual integration strategy rather than rushing everyone into the starting lineup. Head coach Andrea Trinchieri, an Italian strategist with extensive experience in top European competitions, appears to be building an offensive system based on transition principles and minimal time of possession. This approach is evident through PAOK creating multiple open looks for teammates rather than relying on a single scoring option. Long-term, the signings of Osman and Forbes indicate PAOK is willing to invest above the Greek basketball league average to compete for EuroCup positions or at least contest for domestic cups. However, the team still cannot compare with Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, the two powerhouses of Greek basketball. The 3-0 Italy training tour will certainly boost PAOK's morale. But more importantly, this is merely the preparation phase, and all statistics from these friendly matches serve as reference points rather than definitive assessments of the team's true capabilities. Cedi Osman is in the late-prime stage of his professional basketball career. At age 29-30, his game relies on perimeter shooting, ball-handling, and defensive flexibility, elements that typically age well compared to pure explosiveness. However, appearing in only 17 games for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2026-25 season suggests his competitive rhythm may have been affected. If Osman is designated as the primary scoring option, his ability to maintain consistent performance in competitive EuroCup or Greek League matches will be the true test. For now, the Milano game represents only the first positive signal, insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. PAOK will continue preparing for the official season with the OAKA tournament, where they will face various opponents. Fan expectations are running high after the winning streak, but the coaching staff must balance building confidence with adjusting realistic expectations for the players. The 2026-26 Greek basketball season will determine whether PAOK can convert their positive preseason results into consistent competitive performance. The victory over Olimpia Milano is a promising start, but the journey ahead remains long.