Greek Super League Wrap: Round 15

By: Chris Paraskevas | December 22nd, 2008

In cooperation with Goal.com:

At a glance:

Iraklis 1-0 Xanthi
Panserraikos 1-1 PAOK
Panionios 3-0 Asteras Tripolis
Panserraikos 0-0 Aris
AEK Athens 3-2 Ergotelis
Larissa 2-1 Levadiakos
OFI Crete 0-3 Panathinaikos
Olympiakos 2-1 Thrasyvoulos

Olympiakos extended their lead at the top of the Greek Super League ladder to six points with a 2-1 win over Thrasyvoulos at the weekend, as second-placed PAOK were held away at Panserraikos.

Elsewhere, Makis Stavrakakis picked up his second straight victory as Iraklis manager, as the Thessaloniki side edged out Xanthi at the Kaftanzoglio Stadium.

Cyprus striker Michalis Konstantinou’s close-range finish on 77 minutes gave his side a crucial 1-0 victory at home, taking them seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Panserraikos manager Hugo Broos started his reign in Serres with a surprise point against PAOK, the northern Greek sides playing out a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Fernando Santos’ men took the lead through Ilias Anastasakos but Sotirios Konstantinidis’ fine second-half equaliser denied the Thessaloniki side all three points.

The last of Saturday’s matches saw Panionios dismantle Asteras Tripolis at the Nea Smyrni, the Athenians inflicting a second straight defeat on Nikos Kostenoglou’s side.

Goals from Bennard Kumordzi, Ivica Majstorovic and Michael Delura condemned the Arcadians to a 3-0 defeat that sees them sit just three points above the relegation zone.

Panthrakikos began Sunday’s Super League action by holding an in-form Aris to a scoreless draw in Komotini, captain Sergio Koke sent off for the visitors after receiving a second yellow card in injury time, while Panthrakikos defender Robinho was similarly given his marching orders.

It was a toothless display by Enrique Hernandez’s men, who struggled to fashion a meaningful chance for themselves throughout the entire match, Emilio Ferrera’s side coming closest to scoring an upset win.

AEK Athens and Ergotelis played out a considerably more entertaining affair at the OAKA Spiros Louis Stadium, where Dusan Bajevic’s side scored a slightly fortunate 3-2 win over the Cretans.

Nikos Karageorgiou’s men have surpassed all expectations this year, tipped as early season relegation candidates but currently sitting in mid-table after an impressive first half of the season.

They twice came from behind in the nation’s capital and were denied a clear penalty when Vasilis Pliatsikas handled the ball in the penalty area in injury time.

However, Edinho’s 85th minute finish was enough to break Cretan hearts, taking AEK into fourth place.

Panathinaikos eased to a comfortable 3-0 win away against OFI Crete in a match that was disrupted by ugly scenes both inside and outside the Pankritio Stadium.

Fans clashed with riot police, with the authorities responding with tear gas and the match temporarily stopped, as players and coaching staff were forced into their respective dressing rooms.

A first-half red card to Manolis Roubakis made OFI’s task extremely difficult on the pitch, as they succumbed to second half goals by Antonis Petropoulos, Dimitris Salpiggidis and Ante Rukavina.

It appeared as though Henk Ten Cate’s side were going to cut the lead of fierce rivals Olympiakos at the top of the Super League ladder, the defending champions almost held to a surprise draw at home by last-placed Thrasyvoulos.

Sebastian Leto had opened the scoring for the Piraeus side with a fine run and finish but Ernesto Valverde’s team were stunned when the visitors equalised with a Giannis Chloros header.

Sakis Tsiolis’ men held on valiantly and almost took the lead themselves late in the game, denied by the brilliance of former Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis.

However, Olympiakos’ dominance paid off in the final minute of injury time, when Dudu Cearense fell theatrically inside the area and won a debatable penalty for his side.

Despite the passionate protests of Thrasyvoulos ‘keeper Peterson Pecanha – who himself produced an imperious display at the Giorgios Karaiskaki Stadium – and his team-mates, Luciano Galletti stepped up to convert from the spot and restore his side’s lead at the top of the table to six points.

In the day’s other match, Marinos Ouzounidis’ Larissa scored a similarly dramatic victory at home to Levadiakos.

Leonardo had given the visitors a second-half lead with an impressive solo effort before Stylianos Venetidis equalised with a superb free-kick.

Argetine striker Facundo Parra then rescued three points for his side in the final minute of injury time, scoring with a low diving header to give the men from Thessaly a 2-1 win.