The premiership hunt has fallen to two teams after PAOK scored an important win against Olympiacos, with the Thessaloniki side now the closest challengers to AEK for the title.
The “black-whites” defeated the Piraeus giants 2-0 at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the catchup game for the fifth round of the Greek Super League play-offs, keeping them only one point off AEK with two matches remaining.
PAOK took the lead in the 26th minute after winger Andrija Zivkovic gave a lovely over-the-head pass to playmaker Taison, who then finished the ball into the bottom right.
The hosts managed to double their advantage in the second half with a swift counter-attack following an Olympiacos corner, which saw young playmaker Giannis Konstantelias send Zivkovic through one-on-one with goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis and score in the bottom left (65′).
The goal secured a vital victory for the Thessaloniki giants as they now strive to earn two more triumphs in the final two clashes against Panathinaikos and Aris.
Asteras Tripolis scored a 0-1 away success over Atromitos on Sunday morning in the seventh and final round of the play-outs to officially finish top of the relegation group.
The Arcadians earned their win through substitute Juan Munafo’s 70th minute finish, putting them on 38 points to finish their campaign.
Asteras Tripolis finished just above Panserraikos on goal difference, with the Serres club also finishing on 38 points following a home win against Kifisia.
The home side sealed the win with two second half goals in quick succession from midfielders Paschalis Staikos (54′) and Zisis Chatzistravos (58′), giving them a winning finish to a very successful campaign.
Panetolikos beat OFI 1-2 away to finish just above their opponents on the ladder.
The Agrinio outfit went ahead early via striker and captain Nikos Karelis (6′) before midfielder Giannis Bouzoukis made it two inside the first minute of the second period (46′).
The Cretans halved the deficit through winger Giannis Apostolakis (65′) but were unable to get level.
Giannis played out a 1-1 home draw against Volos to bring their disappointing season to a tepid conclusion.
The Epirutans took the lead in the 56th minute following a goal from winger Panagiotis Tzimas (56′) and looked well on track to win their final game of the season.
The Magnesia side had other plans, however, as they found an equaliser in the 89th minute through striker Panagiotis Moraitis.
Greek Super League Ladder
Championship Group
1-AEK: 75
2-PAOK: 74
3-Panathinaikos: 71
4-Olympiacos: 70
5-Aris: 52
6-Lamia: 35
Relegation Group
1-Asteras Tripolis: 38
2-Panserraikos: 38
3-Panetolikos: 36
4-OFI: 35
5-Atromitos: 34
6-Volos: 33
7-Kifisia: 28
8-Giannina: 23
