When Greek Teams Down the Italians in Italy…
PAOK earned a tremendous 2-3 victory in Italy against Fiorentina for the Europa League and AGONAsport.com takes you back to when other Greek teams left Italy with a win. From Aris in 1979 to present day with PAOK, AGONAsport remembers.
UEFA CUP 1979/80 (ROUND OF 32, LEG 2)
| Perugia | 0 - 3 | Aris |
|---|---|---|
| (1 - 4) Agg. |
Kouis 7' Semertzidis 17 Zindros 62 |
It was November 7, 1979 and Aris traveled to Italy to play Perugia in the second leg for the UEFA Cup Round of 32. The first leg ended 1-1 in Thessaloniki and Perugia were the clear favorites to advance to the next round. However, Aris came away with an emphatic 0-3 victory with two first half goals from Kouis and Semertzidis and a third goal from Zindros midway through the second half. Aris, who had already surprisingly knocked out the two time European Champions Benfica, went on to the Round of 16 where they were eliminated by Saint Etienne. Aris’ victory in Italy against Perugia remains one of the most memorable results in the club’s history.
UEFA CUP 1999/00 (ROUND OF 32, LEG 2)
| Juventus | 1 - 2 | Olympiacos |
|---|---|---|
| Kovacevic 2' |
(4 - 3) Agg. |
Djordjevic 38', (p) 84' |
Olympiacos traveled to Italy in their return leg against Juventus after falling 1-3 at home in the first leg of the 2000 UEFA Cup. Juventus took the early lead with Kovacevic (who later played at Olympiacos) and went three goals ahead on aggregate. Djordjevic’s brilliant goal brought Olympiacos level on the night and a late penalty from Djordjevic gave Olympiacos a prideful 1-2 victory. Despite the win, the Erythrolefki were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2007/08 (GROUP STAGE)
| Lazio | 1 - 2 | Olympiacos |
|---|---|---|
| Pandev 30' |
Galletti 58' Kovacevic 64' |
After earning their first ever away victory in the Champions League against Werder Bremen, Olympiacos traveled to Rome to play Lazio. The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute with a goal that was wrongfully awarded, after the ball had previously gone out of bounds. Lazio’s goal sparked a fire in the visitors as they quickly pulled level with Galletti’s effort in the 35th minute. In the second half, Kovacevic found the winner for Olympiacos, giving them their second road win in the Champions League. The Greek Champions advanced from their Champions League group, behind Real Madrid and ahead of Lazio and Werder Bremen, and were later knocked out by Chelsea in the Round of 16.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008/09 (GROUP STAGE)
| Inter Milan | 0 - 1 | Panathinaikos |
|---|---|---|
| Sarriegi 69' |
In a season where Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan looked unstoppable, Panathinaikos showed Europe how to defeat the Italian giants. Panathinaikos was coming off of a great result in Germany where they defeated Werder Bremen 0-3 in the previous matchday. Inter created only one good chance in the match before the Trifylli shocked the home supporters. Gabriel’s corner was met by a powerful header from Goumas and Sarriegi put away the rebound, giving Panathinaikos one of the biggest victories in the club’s history. Panathinaikos went on to win the group, ahead of Inter Milan, but were knocked out by Villarreal in the Round of 16.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 2009/10 (ROUND OF 32, LEG 2)
| Roma | 2 - 3 | Panathinaikos |
|---|---|---|
| Riise 11' De Rossi 67 |
(4 - 6) Agg |
Cisse (p) 40', 45'+1' Ninis 43' |
After their triumph against Inter Milan the year before, Panathinaikos traveled to Rome to play Roma in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32. A dramatic first leg in Athens ended with a 3-2 Panathinaikos victory thanks to a goal in second half stoppage time. Despite the Trifylli’s small advantage, Roma were still the favorites to advance. Riise opened the scoring in the 11th minute, giving Roma the advantage on aggregate (away goals rule). However, the first half ended in the most spectacular fashion for the Greek side as they scored THREE goals within 5-minutes. Cisse equalized with a penalty (won by Ninis) and Ninis gave the visitors the lead with a well-placed shot three minutes later. Panathinaikos secured their place in the next round, when Cisse finished a spectacular counterattack, giving Panathinaikos the 1-3 lead in first half stoppage time. Roma managed to pull one back with de Rossi, but it was Panathinaikos who celebrated the 4-6 aggregate victory and a place in the Round of 16 (eliminated by Standard Liege).
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 2016/17 (GROUP STAGE)
| Fiorentina | 2 - 3 | PAOK |
|---|---|---|
| Bernardeschi 33' Babacar 50' |
Skakhov 5' Campos 26' Rodrigues 90'+3' |
After two disappointing results against Qarabag, PAOK needed all three points in Italy against Fiorentina to stay alive in Group J of the Europa League. The Dikefalos tou Vora got off to an amazing start, pulling ahead 0-2 with goals from Shakhov and Campos, however the hosts found themselves level by the 50th minute. PAOK had the last say in the match as a solo-effort from Rodrigues was capped off by a thunderous strike which found the back. The second half stoppage time goal gave PAOK the 2-3 victory and high hopes for a place in the next round of the competition.
