Showing character and determination and striving to get the best till the end, Panathinaikos was able to prevail 3-2 in Toumba’s stadium against the team of PAOK, thanks to a goal by Molins in the 93rd minute, in a duel held for the – last – 6th match day for the playoffs of the Super League’s championship.
In spite of the absences, which Panathinaikos was rather used to, during the whole playoffs competition, its players entered into the duel better organized and much more threatening than the hosting team. The incentive of the final classification was important for both teams, though Panathinaikos was looking for ways to threaten its rival mainly with Molins and Klonaridis. PAOK on the other hand was unable either to approach the box of Vlachodimos or to gain the ball possession in the center. This image changed after Biseswar’s great initiative, who by a strong shoot outside the box in the 19th minute opened the score giving his team the leadership. In spite of the above, the image of the match remained quite the same and Panathinaikos showed its superiority by scoring the equalizer in the 27th minute by Klonaridis, who got an assist from Lod.
The “Greens” remained unlucky as Koulibaly got injured and was substituted. Reis, on the other hand, was unable to continue as he was hobbling and finally left the pitch in the 49th minute. Panathinaikos was forced to proceed into two unconditional substitutions very early as the midfield remained with extremely limited options. This way PAOK took the initiative of the game pressing for more goals. In the 68th minute a second goal was scored by Henrique who took advantage of a mistaken pass of Koutroumbis back to Vlachodimos. Then PAOK seemed to rest and the “Shamrock” had the opportunity to “strike” and totally overturn the situation.
Lod achieved to draw after a corner executed by Villafañes and an assist by Koutroumbis, Nevertheless the 2-2 score wasn’t enough for Panathinaikos that strove till the end. Klonaridis was the player who did a race in the 93rd minute and gave an assist to Molins who scored a third goal by a header (3-2). This way Panathinaikos finished victoriously the season and will start its new efforts competing in the third qualifying round of Europa League.
Lineups:
PΑΟΚ:Brikic, Kitsiou,Leovac,Pouggouras, Crespo, Cimirot, Sakhov,Biseswar,Henrique(77’Cañias), Warda(88’Charisis), Prijiovic(67’Koulouris).
Panathinaikos:Vlachodimos Od., Koulibali (43’ Evangelou), Koutroumbis, Kourbelis, Hult, Marinakis, Lod, Reis (48’ Chatziyiovannis), Villafañes (87’ Pispas), Klonaridis, Molins.
