PAOK fought their way from behind twice to secure a stalemate against Malmo in the first leg of their European tie, while AEK is at risk of missing out on Europe after a damaging defeat to Noah Yerevan.
The Greek champions drew 2-2 away with their Swedish opponents on Wednesday morning (AEST) in the third qualifying round of their UEFA Champions League tie, ensuring it is all level heading to Toumba Stadium.
Malmo struck first in the 28th minute via a corner header from centre half Pontus Jansson, with PAOK playmaker Taison equalising before the break (42′).
The Swedish side regained their lead in the second half after scoring another goal from a corner set piece, this time through winger Sebastian Nanasi whom guided the ball in after it was delivered at the near post (67′).
PAOK then brought it level from a corner of their own, with the initial cross being headed by defender Konstantinos Koulierakis towards the back post to left back Baba Rahman whom knocked it into the net (75′).
The result puts the Thessaloniki giants in a good position to qualify for the next round as they now aim to utilise their home ground advantage to defeat Malmo at Toumba.
APOEL, the other Hellenic club still in the Champions League, is set to face SK Slovan Bratislava away on Thursday morning (AEST).
AEK is on the verge of a European exit after falling 3-1 away to Noah Yerevan in the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League (ECL).
Enosi started the contest well, grabbing the first goal through star forward Levi Garcia’s corner header (22′), but everything turned sour from then.
The Armenian outfit cancelled out Garcia’s goal in the 33rd minute via a lovely strike into the bottom right by winger Virgile Pinson.
They then took the lead themselves in the second period in spectacular fashion as goalkeeper Ognen Cancarevic scored with a kick from inside his own box (67′).
Cancarevic played a big role in their third goal as well with another kick from deep reaching substitute forward Goncalo Gregorio, who scored on his second attempt in the top left in the dying moments of the match (90+7′).
AEK will now need to secure a strong victory in Athens to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive.
Meanwhile, in the Europa League, Panathinaikos is in store for a huge challenge as they take on Dutch giants Ajax at the Olympic Stadium on Friday morning, and the Greens will be desperate for a strong result in the opening leg of their third qualifying round tie.
The “Trifylli” has a storied history with the Dutch side, which famously beat them in the 1971 Champions League final, though the Greens will be striving to come out on top in this encounter.
In the ECL, Omonia will host Mol Fehervar while Pafos travels away to play FC CSKA 1948 and each Cypriot side will be aiming for a solid opening result to boost their chances of making the play-offs.
