Under-17s are crowned champions [with pictures]
They say that sorrows are more easily remembered. The great miracle of being a child, however, is the fact that – among other things – joy is experienced more intensely. And PAOK’s Under-17 team on Wednesday tasted the joy of winning the championship, without second thoughts, without any stress and questions, just as befits youngsters of their age.
PAOK defeated Aris 2-0 with goals from Gitersos and Goumas in extra time and are celebrating the fourth championship in the history of Under-17 competitions.
The game was not one of the great matches. It was a defensive and tense affair for long spells. Chances were at a premium, at least up until the 50th minute, when PAOK actually started to transform its dominance into chances. On 53 minutes PAOK came close to opening the scoring through Gitersos’ header, then on 65 minutes a shot by Goumas threatened. Another chance followed with Kottas’ 71st-minute shot, then again on 75 minutes Adam went close Georgiadis was next to test the Aris ‘keeper on 82 minutes, but he was denied. The Aris shot-stopper reacted correctly to everything PAOK threw at him over the course of the regular 90 minutes of play.
The final, then, went into extra time, with the Double-headed Eagle continuing to press forward and finally getting a reward with a goal in the second minute of extra time. Gitersos stole the ball, entered the area, got lucky with the bounce of the ball and fired home to make it 1-0. This was followed by another great opportunity with Gitersos and Tzimas combining nicely, only for the latter to side-foot his effort narrowly wide of the goal.
Goumas did eventually put the icing on the cake – especially for birthday boy Taxiarchis Filon – in the 120th minute, slotting the ball into an empty net from an assist by Georgiadis.
PAOK lineup:
Angelidis, Georgiadis, Deligiannis, Filon, Pasachidis, Scznaucner, Adam (87′ Vassiliadis), Kottas, Gitersos (119′ Kastidis), Goumas, Tzimas (110′ Politakis).
