Panathinaikos was crowned Greek Cup Champion for the 2023-24 season, defeating Aris 1-0 in a match that kept players and fans on their toes till the last minute.
But there were no fans at Panthessalic Stadium in Volos on Saturday night, as the venue has not yet installed the CCTV system required.
Aris had their first goal-scoring chance in the 25 minute with Fabiano striking the ball to the goal post and Lodygin successfully defending.
The match lacked in action but will be remembered for the three red cards that French referee Stephanie Frappart showed to players of both teams, two to Aris and one to the Greens.
The two teams started with the following line-ups.
Aris: Cuesta, Odubajo, Fabiano, Brabec, Montoya, Mvondo, Darida, Manu Garcia, Suleymanov, Zamora, Moron.
Panathinaikos: Lodygin, Jedvaj, Arao, Kotsiras, Juancar, Cerin, Ruben Perez, Mancini, Bernard, Bakasetas, Ioannidis.
It was the first time a Greek Cup final was refereed by a female.
In 90+7′, Giorgos Vagianidis scored the goal giving the Greens the title and the ticket to Europa League for next season.
Frappart blew the whistle immediately after kick-off.
Aris owner Thodoris Karipidis stormed onto the pitch protesting against the referee, while implying in his official statements at the end of the game that the final was a set-up.
It marks the 20th time that PAO, owned by Yiannis Alafouzos, has won the Greek Cup and its second time in three years.
