AEK have beaten PAOK 1-0 to make it into the Greek Cup final and hoping to go one better than in 2009 thanks to a goal from veteran defender Traianos Dellas. Dellas’ goal gave AEK a deserved lead and the ‘Enosis’ was cruising to victory before the finale was disrupted by PAOK hooligans who forced the teams to leave the pitch.
AEK will play Atromitos, who will be making their first ever appearance in a Greek Cup final after they saw off Olympiakos Volou. In a game of few chances, Dellas stooped to head in a 49th minute free kick that gave AEK the away goal they needed to go through after the two sides drew 0-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens in the first leg. In between those two Cup matches, AEK smashed PAOK 4-0 in the Super League, a result which leaves PAOK in a precarious position outside the playoff zone. But Dellas’ goal was just reward for AEK who had been the better side in the first half.
PAOK saved their best football for the closing stages but the visitor’s defence was supremely organised, allowing the Thessaloniki side few chances. However, the game will be remembered for two incidents. In the first, a flare hit AEK goalkeeper Sebastian Saja in the 58th minute. The Argentinean’s jersey was burned by the flare but the keeper did not suffer any serious injuries.
But with only a minute or so of the game left, over 100 PAOK fans invaded the pitch and started clashing with riot police. TV cameras were also attacked as AEK players and the referee ran off the pitch. Footage reveals several hooligans running towards AEK players and officials wielding flares as the players left the playing surface. Play was suspended for 20 minutes before the referee returned to blow the final whistle. No stoppage time was played. AEK will be looking to banish memories from its last Greek Cup final appearance when the Athens side lost 15-14 on penalties after a 4-4 draw with Olympiakos.
Unfancied Atromitos reached the final of the Greek Cup on Wednesday for the first time in their history, securing a goalless draw at Olympiakos Volou after winning 2-1 at home. The hosts at the Panthessaliko Stadium were a shadow of their usual selves as they were unable to produce the performance their fans had expected and were second-best over the two legs.
Atromitos, who are struggling in the Super League, had a decent show in defence and created some good chances of their own, the best one being Ilias Anastasakos’ attempt that hit the goal frame at the 72nd minute. Well-marshalled by Costas Nebegleras, the midfield line of Atromitos outplayed that of Olympiakos Volou and gave the Peristeri club a deserved ticket to the Cup final.
Olympiakos Volou strongman Achilleas Beos announced after the match that he will give away the club’s shares this summer. The sudden development came after an attack by Olympiakos Volou fans against him, accusing him for sacking manager Sakis Tsiolis. “I depart from the club leaving a debt of zero euros. I shall give my stake to Volos town council” said Beos, who even climbed a fence to confront his critics. “Olympiakos Volou is probably the only healthy aspect to this miserable city. I swear by the life of my ill father that I will not be at Volos next season,” he added.
He said nothing about the court case against him about alleged match-fixing.