After hours of delay, the much-anticipated derby of the eternal enemies was finally called off following an incident involving a thrown firecracker from the stands that injured Panathinaikos’ Juankar, forcing the match to stop after roughly 50 minutes of play.
The Greek Super League’s eighth round blockbuster at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium was abandoned on Monday morning (AEDT) just as the hosts fought their way back into the game with a firecracker thrown from the crowd very close to Juankar, who was warming up with the bench.
The left back was said to have lost his hearing due to the incident, with the Panathinaikos players and bench as well as the referees walking back towards the dressing rooms following it.
The referee, Fabio Maresca, was insistent on resuming the game, though the Greens would not leave the locker room with frustration directed at the match doctor for changing his initial medical opinion on Juankar and judging him fit to play.
The club claimed they will seek out legal action against the doctor.
The match was in the balance at the time of being called off, with Olympiacos having just equalised through midfielder Mady Camara (48′) to cancel out Greens right back Georgios Vagiannidis’ earlier strike (28′).
It is yet to be determined, at the time of writing, what decision will be made in determining the match’s outcome.
Both PAOK and AEK had much better nights by comparison, each earning important wins to etch even closer to the top of the table.
A brace from central midfielder Magomed Ozdoyev powered PAOK to a 2-0 victory against Atromitos 2-0 at “Toumba” Stadium.
The Thessaloniki giants went in front following a powerful corner header from Ozdoyev (43′) before the Russian midfielder wowed the crowd with a bicycle kick that found its way into the goal (51′), putting them on 17 points.
AEK secured a 0-3 away win against Asteras Tripolis to remain level with PAOK on points and among the rest of the pack near the top of the ladder.
Enosi pulled ahead in the dying minutes of the opening half when forward Steven Zuber’s cross was tapped in on the half-volley by winger Niclas Eliasson.
The Arcadians were given a major setback after defender Pepe Castano was sent off for a second yellow (52′) and the visitors eventually capitalised via a corner header from substitute Milat Mohammadi (77′).
AEK put the result beyond doubt in the 86th minute through Zuber’s composed grounded finish from range into the bottom right corner.
Kifisia held on for a hard-fought 0-0 home draw with OFI wherein they played more than half the clash a player down and managed to keep out a penalty late into the contest.
The promoted side were given a huge obstacle to overcome when midfielder Jack Ipalibo received his marching orders following a tackle on wing back Eric Larsson (36′), though they managed to keep the Cretans at bay.
OFI had a golden chance to score late after Luiz Phellype won a penalty, but the striker’s effort into the bottom right was saved by goalkeeper Alexandros Anagnostopoulos, ensuring his side of a point.
Aris clinched three points at the death in their match with Panserraikos on Sunday morning, downing them 1-0 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground after centre half Fabiano placed his corner header into the bottom right in the game’s last minute (90+7′).
Panetolikos earned their first success of the campaign in their 2-0 home triumph over Volos, keeping the Magnesia side stuck in last place in the process.
The Agrinio outfit took the lead late into the first half after a mistake at the back allowed wing back Georgios Liavas to put the ball in the back of the net (45+2′), with centre back Bruno Diarte’s corner header in the 80th minute ensuring the win.
Lamia beat Giannina 2-1 the round opener on Saturday morning to continue their impressive form of eight matches unbeaten at “Athanasios Diakos” ground.
The Fthiotida club went ahead early, thanks to a bouncing shot from range during a corner set piece by winger Ruben Martinez which took a deflection on its way into the bottom left (8′).
The Epirutans equalised ten minutes later in similar fashion as a corner kick reached centre half Rodrigo Erramuspe, who then knocked it into the bottom left.
Lamia striker Samuele Longo bagged his first goal for the club to put them back in front, knocking the ball in with his head from a cross by fellow forward Carlitos in what proved to be the winner (37′).
Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)
1-Olympiacos: 20 (based on current 1-1 draw)
2-AEK: 17
3-PAOK: 17
4-Panathinaikos: 17 (based on current 1-1 draw)
5-OFI: 13
6-Lamia: 12
7-Aris: 11
8-Panserraikos: 9 (7)
9-Asteras Tripolis: 8
10-Kifisia: 7
11-Panetolikos: 6
12-PAS Giannina: 5
13-Atromitos: 3 (7)
14-Volos: 2 (7)
