PAOK were demure and displayed their quality and mettle in the Municipal Stadium of Galatsi. They took a 2-0 lead, saw AEK react and equalize, but relied on their clear mind to score two more goals and prevail in Athens.

The first 30 minutes of the encounter were rather uneventful. In the 32nd minute, Balogiannis came close to breaking the deadlock with a direct free-kick saved by AEK Athens goalkeeper.

As the two sides seemed resigned to a goalless first half, Balogiannis produced a defense-splitting pass that Gargalatzidis controlled impeccably and fired home to make it 1-0 for the visitors. AEK tried to react immediately, but Patrinos’s effort missed the target.

PAOK netted their second right after the interval. Chatzistravos teed up Doumtsis who had no problem making it 2-0.

AEK Athens took the reins of the encounter and applied more pressure in PAOK’s box. Papadopoulos was called to intervene twice and did so successfully, but couldn’t prevent Patrinos from scoring in the 63rd minute, after the latter collected the rebound following Botis’s shot on post. Three minutes later, Bogdani equalized with a header, connecting Tselios’s free kick.

PAOK turned things around in the last minutes of the encounter. In the 79th minute, Gargalatzidis scored from close range following Balogiannis’s cross and Doumtsis’s headed assist. Doumtsis completed his brace from the spot, converting the penalty awarded to Tzovaras.

PAOK recorded a very important victory and have a healthy 13-point lead over second-placed AEK Athens, in their quest to win their second consecutive league title.

PAOK U19: Papadopoulos, Lyratzis (51’ Τachatos), Τsaousis, Μichailidis, Diamantis, Τsiggaras, Balogiannis, Chatzistravos (88’ Salamouras), Doumtsis, Gargalatzidis, Gaitanidis (60’ Tzovaras).