Ionikos Nikeas will be heading into the Greek Super League after topping the ladder in Super League 2 playoffs, leaving Xanthi FC pining for a chance next season.
Panetolikos has escaped relegation by the skin of its teeth, managing to stay in the Super League for another season.
Xanthi came face to face with second-last placed Panetolikos for the home-and-away playoff.
It was down to the aggregate between the the two teams, with last Wednesday’s game giving hosts Xanthi some hope that it would make it through to the big league.
The hosts came out on top in the first leg, beating Euro 2004 winner Traianos Dellas’ front 2-1. The match seemed to be in the clutches of the visitors as Nikos Vergos came out swinging for the team in the sixth minute.
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Xanthi had other plans, attacking stronger in the second half with goals by Patrick Ebert in the 52nd minute and Beka Mikeltadze in the 71st.
On Sunday tensions were high, as hosts Panetolikos focused on getting at least one goal ahead to secure their position and avoid relegation.
All seemed to be lost for the first division team up until the last minutes of the game when Xanthi’s Thanassis Papazoglou handled the ball inside the box, giving the hosts a chance at a penalty goal.
Vergos came back to win the match for his team, bringing the aggregate to 2-2 with the 1-0 victory.
