Greece’s journey in Europe has come to a close as both Olympiacos and Panathinaikos suffered eliminations from their respective competitions at the Round of 16 stage.
The two Hellenic sides competed well but ultimately fell to their respective opponents as they now must focus their attention domestically.
Olympiacos managed to secure a winning finish to their UEFA Europa League campaign as they beat Bodo/Glimt 2-1 at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium, though that proved insufficient in overturning the 3-0 deficit on aggregate to bring their run to an end.
The Norwegian club essentially put the tie to bed in the 36th minute after a swift counter-attack that was polished off with a low volley in the box by striker Kasper Høgh.
The Piraeus giants breathed some life into the game in the 53rd minute when substitute striker Roman Yaremchuk capitalised on a slip at the back to score a one-on-one in the bottom left.
The “red-whites” squandered a golden chance to grab a second in the 62nd minute when Rodinei had his penalty attempt saved by goalkeeper Nikita Haikin.
Yaremchuk made up for his teammate’s miss quickly after as he released a powerful low finish that went in off the left post (65′).
The hosts finished the game with ten players after goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis earned a red card for a last man foul near the halfway line (88′).
Panathinaikos’ Conference League campaign came to an end after a disappointing 3-1 away defeat to Fiorentina, losing the tie 5-4 on aggregate in the process.
The Italian side broke through in the 12th minute of the clash after midfielder Rolando Mandragora unleashed an excellent strike from range that found its way into the left side of the net.
The hosts then doubled their advantage shortly after when striker Albert Gudmundsson released a strike that took a crucial deflection off Panathinaikos’ Willian Arao to pivot into the bottom left (24′).
The Greens put on a stronger display in the second period, creating chances to get back in the tie, though Fiorentina stymied their push after finding a third via marksman Moises Kean (75′).
The “Trifylli” got one back in the 81st minute following a superb penalty into the top right corner by captain Fotis Ioannidis.
Panathinaikos finished the game with just ten players on the field after left back Filip Mladenovic was given a second yellow in the 90+3rd minute.
Pafos similarly has seen their Conference League season come to a halt after a 3-0 loss in the second leg away with Djurgardens, losing 3-1 on aggregate in the process.
The Swedish outfit levelled the tie in the 35th minute following a goal from winger Oskar Fallenius before going ahead outright in the 69th minute via a beautiful long-range effort by midfielder Daniel Stensson into the right side of the net.
The home side secured Pafos’ exit in the 86th minute when striker Tokmac Nguen pounced on the rebound from a shot that hit the crossbar, heading the ball home from close range (86′).
