No Greek team will feature in the Champion League this season, AEK fell just short, losing to Antwerp in the second leg of the play-offs to resign themselves to the Europa League.
The Greek champions were beaten 1-2 at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Thursday morning (AEST), losing the tie 3-1 on aggregate, dropping down to the Europa League group stage as a result.
Enosi largely dominated proceedings, having the lion’s share of possession and creating chances, though they could not capitalise on this by finding a goal to make the tie level.
It was the Belgian side that managed to score first as substitute winger Gyrano Kerk finished the ball from close range (73′), giving his team two goal advantage in the tie.
AEK restored hope after captain Sergio Araujo found the back of the net after meeting winger Niclas Eliasson’s cross (90′).
The hosts were left exposed as they pushed for one more goal, allowing winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha to punish them on the counter with a late strike (90+5′), guaranteeing his side of the Champions League spot as a result.
AEK joins Panathinaikos in lamenting their stumble at the final hurdle of Champions League qualification (the Greens having lost to Braga), though they both still have the Europa League to look forward to.
The draw for the Europa League group stage will take place on Friday evening, with potentially Olympiacos and Aris Limassol also involved as they seek to secure their place in the competition tomorrow morning.
Likewise, PAOK and APOEL are fighting for places in the Europa Conference League group stage tomorrow morning, with those two sides arguably under the most pressure as failure would mean they have no more European football this season.
Europa League matches (AEST):
Aris Limassol-SK Slovan Bratislava: 03.00, Fri 01 Sep
FK Cukaricki Belgrade-Olympiacos: 04.00, Fri 01 Sep
Europa Conference League matches (AEST):
APOEL-KAA Gent: 03.00, Fri 01 Sep
PAOK-Heart of Midlothian: 03.30, Fri 01 Sep
