PAOK are through to the Greek Cup final on the back of a one-all draw against Lamia at Toumba stadium.

It’ll be their sixth appearance at the ultimate game in the last seven years; where they’ll go up against AEK in an archetypical matchup.

The Athenian side qualified for the big one in spite of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of rivals Olympiacos on 12 April, owing to their 3-0 victory against the Piraeus giants in the first leg of the semi-finals.

In the match at Toumba, Stefan Schwab opened the scores for PAOK with a penalty shot in the 25th minute.

Despite Lamia’s equalisation in the 51st by Giorgos Manousos, the ailing side’s crushing 5-1 away defeat in their last meeting with the Thessaloniki titans saw them booted from the running.

And so, AEK and PAOK will hash it out in the May final to decide just who’ll be crowned as the heroes of this year’s Greek Cup.

But exactly where (and even when) this showdown will take place, is still up in the air…

Despite previous reports that the decision to put on the show in Nicosia, Cyprus was a done deal; it’s now been revealed that the announcement by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) was a little premature.

Cypriot police shot down the suggestion, with authorities going so far as to say Nicosia hadn’t even received a formal request to host the Cup.

Given the hiccup, the EPO turned their sights to Panthessaliko Stadium in Volos, Thessaly as their next choice to host the game.

But the Federation recently announced on Thursday that Volos’ mayor, Achilleas Beos, (who’s also the owner of the city’s soccer club) had also turned down the offer.

According to the EPO, they received the following response from Beos in regards to their request.

“After extensive consultation with institutions of the city of Volos, but mainly the leadership of the Hellenic Police (…) I find myself in the unpleasant position of giving you a negative answer regarding the prospect of organising the final of the Greek Cup (in our city.)”

“The final of the Cup, I believe, should be a celebration of football, but with the unacceptable conditions that have developed, it is reasonable to assume that it will be more like a military conflict than a major sporting event,” his response continued.

Mirroring the concerns of the Cypriots, it seems the potential for unbridled hooliganism and the unfortunately very real threat of violence is a red card which potential hosts just can’t ignore.

“My duty is to preserve the normality of life and the safety of the citizens of Volos and of course their assets and the city’s infrastructure,” Volos’ mayor made clear.

Adding, “I hope that in the future it will be possible for us to truly celebrate sporting events and not worry about any consequences.”

With Germany, England, Australia, Cyprus and now Volos struck from the list; the EPO looks down the barrel of throwing together a national championship with just over a month to get the ball rolling.