Skartados’ last match for PAOK in the league
A few days ago, former captain of PAOK Giorgos Skartados played in the friendly encounter against Greece 2004 team at Toumba. On this day, 23 years ago, Giorgos Skartados wore the black-and-white jersey for the last time in a league encounter.
On Saturday 16 May 1992, PAOK played away against Korinthos for matchday 31 of the Greek league. In the 78th minute of the encounter, Giorgos Skartados stepped off the pitch giving his place to Nikos Plitsis.
The match was broadcast live and was the last of Skartados for the “Double-Headed Eagle” in a league encounter. The ten-year PAOK cycle of the versatile midfielder from Rhodes would officially close in the two-legged finals of the Greek Cup against Olympiacos, a few days later.
In the encounter against Korinthos, he stepped up to the spot to convert the penalty earned by Basbanas and equalized (1-1 after 75 minutes). The home side had taken the lead with Periklis Papapanagis, also from the spot.
On that day, Giorgos Skartados netted his 83rd goal in 265 league matches with PAOK. A tally bringing to third place in the all-time list of PAOK, behind Stavros Sarafis (136) and Giorgos Koudas (133).
In six of his ten seasons at Toumba, he won top scorer honours despite featuring in midfield. His record remains unbeaten to this day, Dimitris Salpingidis drawing closer with five top scorer honours.
Salpingidis however did beat him to third place of all-time top scorers of PAOK last season. Skartados is now the club’s fourth all-time scorer in the league.
* Photo: Skartados challenges Kofidis, in the encounter between Olympiacos and PAOK, in 1992.
