Thessaloniki was obviously very "hungry" for the new era of European Basketball, and 40 minutes were not enough for the 1st game of ULEB?s Euroleague in the city. PAOK managed to beat Verona by 3 (97-94, regular time 76-76) after a 5? overtime in a really spectacular game which probably will be used by the marketing department of ULEB for next year? s promotion of the league. The "outside" players were the stars of the night, but finally PAOK? s duo (Liadelis 33-Sigalas 19) was the one that left the arena happy although Verona's "American Dream" (Bullock 33- Williams 23) won the unofficial personal contest. The game was exciting during all its 45 minutes, since no team managed to take a lead bigger than 9 points : 63-72 for Verona in the 33rd minute. For PAOK the maximum was +7: 32-25 4' before the end of the first half. PAOK seemed to be in charge of the game in the first half, having Liadelis in a great night (19 points in 20 minutes) until Sigalas and Weiss were charged with 3 fouls each and the Italian team had the opportunity with a 14-2 run to take a 5 point lead (34-39 from 32-25) which was erased quickly with 5 personal points of Liadelis (39-39 half time) The picture of the game was different after the 25th minute (Verona stayed scoreless until then), as Luis Bullock came out from the locker room hot (had 8 in the first half) and PAOK's defense had no solution. Verona's lead was increasing (53-59 in 28' and 63-72 in 34'), before we reach the "grand finale". The crowd got fire, PAOK started pressing and the game was even: 72-72 two minutes before the end on the road to overtime with a basket from Joseph Blair 23' (score 76-76) before the end, while the last shot of Bullock hit the rim. The overtime was much more exciting until the last minute when coach Flevarakis was lucky enough to "discover" Jose Cargol to score two points 42?? before the end of an offensive rebound (score 95-94) and take also the defensive board right after. Sigalas wrote the epilogue 4?? with two free throws, while Williams couldn' t make the wonder basket from 10 meters distance. Game every 10': 18-16, 36-36, 58-63, 76-76, 97-94.