SLGR Standings: PAOK clinch Champions League spot
SLGR Standings: PAOK clinch Champions League spot
PAOK clinched a spot in the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League with an uninspiring 0-0 draw against Aris, while Panionios were sentenced to relegation following a point in Peristeri.
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PLAYOFFS
The Dikefalos tou Vorra will have another shot at qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League. However, they didn’t earn many plaudits for their performance against a heavily depleted Aris side at the Toumba Stadium, playing to a 0-0 draw. Nevertheless, a point was enough to confirm their berth in Europe’s premier competition, with PAOK set to join the tournament in the second qualifying round this summer.
Over in Piraeus, third-placed AEK suffered a defensive horror show against Olympiacos, conceding three desperately cheap goals to Mathieu Valbuena, Lazar Randjelovic and Mohamed Camara to lose 3-0. Olympiacos, who only lost one game all season long, are the Greek champions for the 45th time in their glittering history.
In Giorgos Donis’ final game as head coach, Panathinaikos edged past OFI in a thriller at the Olympic Stadium, as Uffe Bech, Federico Macheda and Tasos Chatzigiovanis scored to earn a 3-2 victory. Vasilis Xenopoulos preserved the three points for the Athenians with a last-gasp penalty save.
OFI finish the playoffs in last position without a single victory.
PLAYOUTS
The survival bid didn’t have a happy end for Panionios. Sadly for the historic Nea Smyrni-based organisation, Panionios came up short against Atromitos in their concluding game, drawing 0-0 to end the campaign in last place. In Larissa, Xanthi gained a goalless tie with AEL, a result good enough to occupy 13th. The relegation/promotion playoff against the second-placed Super League 2 club is unlikely to happen.
Hosting Volos NFC in Agrinio, Panetolikos grabbed a 1-0 victory to ensure they finish the season in 12th, while playout leaders Asteras were held to a 1-1 draw by Lamia.
Player of the Week: Matic Kotnik (Panionios)
Despite the result, Kotnik was superb for Panionios against Atromitos, pulling off several fantastic saves to keep the Panthers in the match. The 29-year-old Slovenian goalkeeper is expected to leave the team this summer regardless of whether the restructuring of the Greek footballing ladder keeps Panionios in the top tier.
Goal of the Week: Lazar Randjelovic (Olympiacos)
The young Serbian winger stood out with a display of flashy skill against AEK in Piraeus. Receiving the ball on the right wing, Randjelovic beat Michalis Bakakis with ease, sharply moving to a shooting position before whipping his ensuing attempt beyond the onrushing Panagiotis Tsintotas.
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