PAOK faced Aris in the last 16 stage of the Greek Cup in a one-legged tie, as dictated by the competition’s regulations back then. On 22 April 1962, the “Double-Headed Eagle” played host to the “Yellows” at Toumba Stadium and found themselves trailing 1-0 in the 30th minute after Paschalidis’s goal. They tried to equalize quickly, but were unlucky, Giakoumis (32′) and Mouratidis (40′) hitting the woodwork. They managed to level in the 68th minute courtesy of Mouratidis.

The 30 minutes of extra time left the tie undecided and the two sides met for a rematch at Aris ground.

On 9 May 1962, just 2.062 spectators attended the encounter –Aris fans were disappointed in their team spending the whole season trying to avoid relegation. PAOK took the lead in the 44th minute after Leandros took the free-kick and Vasiliadis headed the ball home. Aris leveled in the 51st minute with a Paschalidis-Psifidis combination, the latter shooting for the equalizer. In extra time, the “Double-Headed Eagle” lost twice the opportunity to finish off the encounter (Giakoumis in the 91st minute and Leandros five minutes later).

The second 1-1 draw meant that qualification would be decided by a draw procedure. It was held at Greek FA headquarters in Athens, along with the one between Olympiacos Kozani and Iraklis. Aris and Olympiacos Kozani had luck on their side and qualified for the Greek Cup quarter-finals.