Les Shannon’s PAOK played host to Panathinaikos for the Greek Cup quarter-finals in May 1971, the “Greens” fresh out of their qualification to the European Champions’ Cup final! Both sides were trailing in the Greek league and were focusing on the Greek Cup instead.

Panathinaikos enjoyed an additional day of rest, as their match against Ethnikos Piraeus was held on Saturday 1 May, while PAOK travelled to Athens for their Fostiras match on 2 May. They both suffered setbacks. Panathinaikos took a 2-0 lead over Ethnikos, but were equalized. PAOK suffered a 1-0 defeat by the so-called “slayer of giants” Fostiras who were fighting to avoid relegation.

The encounter between PAOK and Panathinaikos at Toumba was attended by AFC Ajax’s scouts, checking out the “Greens’” potential in a tough encounter. The Dutch envoys were impressed by Dimitris Paridis and Toumba instead and could not understand how PAOK were so far down in the league standings. On that day, the “Double-Headed Eagle” could not count on their big star Giorgos Koudas.

In a hard-fought first half, Panathinaikos were not necessarily better but did get the opener through a shot by Domazos (36’). Six minutes later, Giannis Gounaris’s strike was denied by the crossbar. Nine minutes into the second half, Tomaras made it 2-0 following foreplay by Kamaras. That goal would signal PAOK’s return into the match.

In the 58th minute, Stavros Sarafis reduced distances with a close-range shot collecting Achilleas Aslanidis’ defence-splitting pass. A few seconds after Panathinaikos put the ball back in play, Paridis crossed from the right, Konstantinou cleared temporarily but the ball struck on Sourpis’ head and landed at the back of the net.

Just three minutes later, Sarafis initiated play and passed the ball to Paridis at the edge of the box. The latter evaded five rivals, invaded the area and shot for PAOK’s third goal, culminating an impressive comeback in the span of four minutes!

The guests tried to react, but Chatziioannou put a stop to all their attempts for an equalizer.

After the final whistle, PAOK coach Less Shannon said: «Even after falling 2-0 behind, our fans never stopped urging us. Their chants boosted our players to win the encounter. This victory came courtesy of our fans!»

MVP of the encounter, Dimitris Paridis, said: «Our coach spotted the rival defence’s weak spot and pointed out to me during the interval. I dedicate my performance and goals to my mother –I spoke to her before the encounter. When we fell behind, I thought about my family that were in dire need of my support. I remembered the 10.000 drs. bonus, I also remembered that I had been unlucky in front of goal lately. I felt really pumped up at that point and able to decide the encounter».

Rare coincidence: One month later, the two sides met for their league clash. Panathinaikos took a 2-0 lead again, but PAOK ended up winning 3-2. Again…

PΑΟΚ: Chatziioannou, Gounaris, Fountoukidis, Papadopoulos, Chatziantoniou, Lazos (46′ Bellis), Paridis, Sarafis, Terzanidis, Mantzourakis (69′ Stavridis), Aslanidis.