The Greek Cup has the unprecedented prospect of seeing three second-division teams in the semifinals, as the first-leg quarter final games on this week – including the 1-1 draw between Olympiakos and AEK – have pointed to a most unusual last-four line-up.
An entertaining derby straight out of the best tradition of matches between the Reds and the Yellows produced a rather unexpected result at the Karaiskakis Stadium, as champion Olympiakos could only draw with second-division leader AEK that led in the first half via Christos Aravidis before the host equalised in the second half through Luka Milivojevic.
The return leg at the Olympic Stadium of Athens appears very appetizing, with AEK expecting at least 50,000 fans on March 4 or 5.
Another former Super League club, Iraklis, performed an upset over top-flight Panionios with a 2-0 win in Thessaloniki, while the second division is guaranteed a spot in the semis from the Hania vs Apollon Smyrnis pair. The two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg at Hania.
In the only tie involving two Super league teams, OFI Crete led 1-0 at Iraklio but Xanthi grabbed a precious equalizer that makes it the favourite ahead of the second leg in Thrace.