Derbies in store after Greek Cup Draw

By: Peter Katsiris | January 26th, 2009

The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) completed the draw for the quarterfinals and the semi-finals today. With several high-rollers still alive in the Greek Cup, this stage of the draw was bond to pair up several rivals, and to no avail, the draw did just that.

Quarterfinal Dates
Defending Champions Olympiacos were paired with Thessaloniki rivals Aris FC or PAOK. The northern Greek pair has not yet settled their round of 16 tie, after a 0-0 draw at the Toumba Stadium two weeks ago. A replay this Wednesday will see a winner emerge from Thessaloniki’s most fierce rivalry.

Skoda Xanthi faces a trip to the Greek capital as the Thracian outfit was paired with AEK Athens. While the pair drew 1-1 in Xanthi during the first half of the season, a rejuvenated AEK, led by Dusan Bajevic, will meet up with the ‘Queen of Thrace’ for a spot in the semi-finals.

Panionios and Veria haven’t settled their round of 16 tie just yet, but the winner’s future has already been determined as Asteras Tripolis will take on the team which comes out on top. Having met Veria during their stay in the Beta Ethniki, Asteras could rekindle an old rivalry if the Imathian side emerges. Meanwhile, the encounters with Panionios have strictly come in the Greek Super League, but the ‘Kyanerythri’ are likely looking no further than this Wednesday, as a replay with Veria is first up for the Nea Smyrni side.

Panathinaikos face another trip to Serres, as Panserraikos hosts the Athenian giants, after shocking Larissa to emerge from the round of 16. The ‘Liontaria’ were thumped 3-0 in their first meeting of the year with Panathinaikos at the OAKA Spyros Louis Stadium, but a home fixture against an up-and-down Trifylli side, who could be distracted with Champions League duties that loom in the horizon, could be the right tonic for Hugo Broos’ men to slip into the next round.

Scintillating Semi-finals
While the quarterfinals will be the first order for business for most of the clubs still alive in the competition, the semi-finals have plenty of reason for fans to be excited.

The draw determined a potential Athenian derby could take place in the semi-finals, as the winner of AEK Athens vs. Skoda Xanthi will face the top side between Panathinaikos vs. Panserraikos. Meanwhile, the winner from the now complex fixture between Olympiacos vs. PAOK/Aris FC will be met by the winner of Asteras Tripolis vs. Panionios/Veria.

The quarter-finals, which are a one-legged elimination playoff, are set to be played out on February 4^th, 2009, and February 18^th. A replay, if necessary, will be played out on March 4^th, 2009.

Quarterfinals
1^st leg: February 4^th, 2009; or February 18^th, 2009.
Replay: March 4^th, 2009
1: Aris FC or PAOK FC vs. Olympiacos CFP
2: Skoda Xanthi FC vs. AEK Athens FC
3: Panionios GSS or Veria FC vs. Asteras Tripolis FC
4: Panserraikos FC vs. Panathinaikos FC

Semi-finals
1^st Leg: TBD
2^nd Leg: TBD
Winner of match 2 vs. Winner of match 4
Winner of match 3 vs. Winner of match 1