ATHENS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- AEK Athens entered the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals here on Wednesday despite losing 63-62 to the visiting PAOK Thessaloniki.

Before the game, AEK Athens, the previous winner of the Champions League, needed a win or a loss within nine points to advance.

During the game, AEK Athens played well in defense, reducing the efficiency of PAOK's main scorers Phil Goss and William Hatcher.

Vince Hunter for AEK Athens and Johndre Jefferson for PAOK were top scorers with 11 points each.

In the quarterfinals, AEK Athens will face Brose Bamberg from Germany, in Bamberg on March 26 and in Athens on April 2.