PAOK has kept their premiership dreams intact after scoring a crucial victory in the derby with AEK, giving them hope as we approach the final matches of the season.
The Thessaloniki giants defeated their rivals 3-2 at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the eighth round of the Greek Super League play-offs, with a 90th minute winner preserving their title ambitions.
The match had a frantic start as young playmaker Giannis Konstantelias gave the “black-whites” an early lead (3′) which lasted only six minutes before midfielder Orbelin Pineda equalised for Enosi.
AEK took the ascendency with a goal in the 75th minute, courtesy of a tap-in header from centre back Domagoj Vida following a free kick cross, but Konstantelias stepped up again with a finish into the bottom left (81′).
PAOK then claimed the advantage with a fantastic strike from range by Joan Sastre in the 90th minute, with the right back hitting it on the volley following a clearance from a corner kick.
The result ensures the fierce battle for the championship continues heading into the last few matchdays.
Panathinaikos’ premiership dreams have been all but extinguished after a disappointing 0-1 loss to Aris at “Leoforos” Stadium.
The visitors struck in just the second minute of the contest, with striker Alvaro Zamora heading in a cross to stun the home faithful.
Aris withstood plenty of pressure to defend their lead well, earning an impressive win which will give them immense confidence heading into the Greek Cup final against the Greens next month.
Olympiacos smashed Lamia 4-1 at “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground to also put them in good stead ahead of their Europa Conference League tie with Aston Villa.
The “red-whites” went into the break two goals up after goals from midfielder Chiquinho (24′) and striker Fran Navarro (27′), with their dominance continuing in the second half as winger Daniel Podence made it three (52′).
Lamia winger Zoran Tosic managed to score with a strike on the edge of the box following a quickly taken free kick (64′), though Olympiacos midfielder Sotiris Alexandropoulous restored their three-goal lead with an injury time finish (90+3′)
Kifisia has officially been relegated after falling 2-3 at home to Giannina on Sunday morning in the sixth round of the play-outs.
The hosts struck first, thanks to a free kick goal from midfielder Sotiris Ninis (26′), before the Epirutans made it level through winger Kevin Rosero (36′).
Giannina later took the lead themselves via substitute Matus Begala (74′), though Kifisia marksman Ognjen Ojegovic was able to equalise from the penalty spot (82′).
Rosero then popped up at the death to seal his second goal of the game (90+3′), guaranteeing Kifisia drop down with them into the second division as a result.
Volos and Panetolikos both secured their safety with 1-0 home successes over Panserraikos and Atromitos respectively.
The Magnesia club found the match’s lone goal in the 56th minute after striker Juan Manuel Garcia converted his penalty, with the only other notable highlight being a 90+7th minute red card to Panserraikos midfielder Angelos Oikonomou.
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The Agrinio outfit scored what proved to be the winner in the 53rd minute via centre half Jemal Tabidze.
The match finished with only ten players on the field for each side due to late second yellow cards for Atromitos’ Pierre Kunde (87′) and Tabidze (90+3′).
Asteras Tripolis and OFI played out a 1-1 draw in the other play-outs fixture, allowing the Arcadians to go level on points at the top of the relegation group.
The home side found the back of the net just 12 minutes in from midfielder Oluwatobiloba Alagbe, though it would eventually be cancelled out through an own goal by centre back Dino Grozdanic (53′)
Greek Super League Ladder (game in hand)
Championship Group
1-AEK: 76
2-PAOK: 71 (33)
3-Panathinaikos: 71
4-Olympiacos: 70 (33)
5-Aris: 52
6-Lamia: 35
Relegation Group
1-Asteras Tripolis: 35
2-Panserraikos: 35
3-OFI: 35
4-Atromitos: 34
5-Panetolikos: 33
6-Volos: 32
7-Kifisia: 28
8-Giannina: 22
