Some players experience the thrill of winning a title but in a sporting competition, only one team can win it all.

That doesn't mean that basketball players on those sides that don't quite make it can't be sky high every once in a while.

Turkey international Ibrahim Kutluay poured in 15 points to lead PAOK to an 80-76 win over Lappeenranta in Tuesday's EuroCup Qualifying Round Group A game.

Both teams went into the contest with no chance of progressing to the next round.

CSK-VVS Samara placed one foot in the next stage of the EuroCup by claiming a thrilling win at Lappeenranta in Qualifying Round action on Tuesday

After coming from behind to beat PAOK last week, Valeriy Tikhonenko's men scraped a 78-76 triumph in Finland to improve to improve to 3-1 in Group A and stay hot on the heels of leaders Tartu University Rock.

Brian Cusworth and Janar Talts each scored 20 points as surprising Tartu Rock won 102-94 at Lappeenranta in Finland on Monday to take complete command of Group A in the EuroCup Qualifying Round.

Entering the game with back-to-back victories over PAOK and CSK-VVS Samara, the Estonians were full of confidence and that was evident in the first quarter when they matched the Finnish outfit blow-for-blow.

Lappeenranta handed PAOK another setback in the EuroCup on Monday but the Greek team showed great fight during their 83-74 defeat.

The Finnish outfit, looking to claim their first win in the qualifying round after falling to a 94-82 defeat last week at CSK-VVS Samara, opened up a 55-34 lead early in the second half but weren’t able to pull away for a decisive victory.