Xanthi relegated as Apollon Smyrnis storm to promotion
Apollon Smyrnis sealed promotion to the Super League with a confident 3-1 triumph at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium in the second leg of their playoff against Xanthi.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
Xanthi’s lengthy 31-year stay in the top flight of Greek football has come to somewhat of a meek end. After practically their entire squad left after the Super League regular season, Xanthi were forced to field youngsters against a more Apollon Smyrnis side, and they duly paid the price as they suffered a 4-1 aggregate loss to their Athens-based opponents. Xanthi had lost the first leg 1-0 at home.
Just like in the first match, Apollon Smyrnis opened the scoring from the penalty spot, as Thomas converted his spot-kick in the 14th minute of play
Matters soon got worse for Xanthi as Apostolos Adamidis was shown a straight red card by the referee for a cynical foul.
Dominating proceedings, Apollon soon made their man advantage count, doubling their advantage in the 36th minute as Xanthi defender Dimosthenis Tenekes contrived to inadvertently turn the ball into his own net.
Apollon subsequently put the tie well and truly out of sight 12 minutes after the half-time break with Thomas grabbing his third goal of the playoff battle.
Firmly in the box seat, Apollon knew they were home and dry, but they were also reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute as Anastasios Lagos was sent off.
With six minutes remaining on the clock, Konstantinos Thymianis did score a penalty for Xanthi, but it made little difference to the outcome. Apollon Smyrnis will now begin their Super League preparations while Xanthi will have to be content with a spot in the second division.
