AEK’s miserable play-offs campaign fittingly ended with another loss, falling to PAOK as they confirmed third place and greatly boosted their odds of securing entry into the Europa League qualifying rounds.
PAOK defeated their rivals 1-0 at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the sixth and final matchday of the Greek Super League’s play-offs, handing AEK their sixth straight league defeat in the process.
The hosts owed the win to a strike from centre half Giannis Michailidis in the 45+1st minute, which confirmed their finish in third.
It is an important result as it means PAOK will inherit the Europa League entry given to the Cup winners if OFI loses in the Greek Cup Final.
Olympiacos procured a winning finish to their league campaign, downing Panathinaikos 0-1 at the Olympic Stadium.
The red-whites found the game’s lone goal on the hour mark after chief striker Ayoub El Kaabi buried his penalty into the top left corner.
Aris ended their season with a strong 4-2 victory over Asteras Tripolis on Sunday morning.
The Thessaloniki side went into the break two goals up, thanks to strikes from Dario Sikic (12′) and Monchu (23′), and they soon found a third in the 58th minute via Dudu.
The Arcadians soon scored their first through an own goal by Jakub Brabec (72′) before Dudu struck once again in the 77th minute, with the visitors grabbing one final consolation in the 89th minute from Chidera Okoh.
Atromitos and OFI played out a goalless draw in their encounter, with the Cretans neither gaining nor losing momentum ahead of their huge Cup Final with Olympiacos.
Volos sealed a massive 0-3 away success against Panetolikos in the seventh round of the relegation play-outs that has given their survival chances a major lift.
The Magnesia side took the lead in the 34th minute through Daniel Sundgren and they soon made it two just before half time after a penalty from Lazaros Lamprou smacked into the left post and ricocheted towards Nacho Gil, who then knocked it in (45+2′).
Volos midfielder Juanpi then put the game to bed with the game’s final goal in the 55th minute, with the win putting them seven points clear of Kallithea with three matchdays remaining (meaning they are very likely to stay in the top flight).
The Athenian outfit suffered a crushing 4-1 away defeat to Levadiakos to fall further behind Volos, with their hopes of avoiding relegation now hanging by a thread.
The “blue-greens” took the lead early into the contest via marksman Zini (10′), though it was the second half where all hope ran out.
The half took a turn in the 62nd minute when veteran playmaker Mathieu Valbuena received his second yellow just five minutes after coming off the bench.
The hosts soon doubled their lead from the penalty spot, thanks to Benjamin Verbic (72′), though the travellers showed some resistance with a goal in the 78th minute from Pyry Soiri.
Levadiakos then restored their two-goal advantage through Alen Ozbolt in the 90th minute before polishing off the game in the dying moments of the clash via Panagiotis Simelidis (90+7′).
Lamia mustered a 2-1 comeback win over Panserraikos at “Athanasios Diakos” ground to earn some pride after a dismal campaign.
The confirmed wooden spooners fell behind in the 26th minute after Panserraikos midfielder Paschalis Staikos scored an impressive goal from outside the box.
The Fthiotida side brought the game level in the 62nd minute via Nikolaos Gkotzamanidis and they then claimed the lead themselves soon after through Giannis Doiranlis (79′).
Greek Super League Ladder
Championship Group
1-Olympiacos: 75
2-Panathinaikos: 59
3-PAOK: 58
4-AEK: 53
Fifth-Eighth
5-Aris: 35
6-Asteras Tripolis: 27
7-Atromitos: 26
8-OFI: 20
Relegation Group
9-Levadiakos: 44
10-Panetolikos: 39
11-Panserraikos: 36
12-Volos: 36
13-Kallithea: 29
14-Lamia: 20
