The game was fast-paced from the start, with raids on both goals frequent, while PAOK were clearly more threatening with their speed from the flanks and also having the lion’s share of possession.

The Double-headed Eagle threatened first through Bradonic, who was found by Michailidis’ long ball, and then with Tasiouras’ shot. And shortly afterwards, in the 31st minute, the home side found the way to goal with a nice team effort. Chatzistravos found Bradonic from the right, and he in turn found Gordeziani, who made it 1-0 to PAOK from close range.

The second half, however, did not start with the best of omens, as the scorer Gordeziani was sent off in the 47th minute after being shown a red card. The technical team made changes in an attempt to cover the disadvantage of 10 players. Naturally, the visitors regained control and pushed for an equaliser. PAOK lasted until the 88th minute, when the referee awarded a penalty against PAOK. Plegas took the spot-kick but his effort hit the post, and despite six minutes of stoppage time, the score remained 1-0. The Double-headed Eagle took the three points, their first at home, and now look ahead to the next game…

Team lineups:

PAOK B: Talichmanidis, Kitsakis (Darelas 56′), Tasiouras, Michaelidis (Kottas 46′), Moricceli, Ouedraogo, Grosdis (Koutentakis 73′), Branonic (Spyridis 63′), Spyrakos, Chatzistravos (Meletidis 56′), Gordeziani.

AEL: Theodoropoulos (l.t. 37′ Souloukos), Papageorgiou A., Ouatara, Gotzamanidis, Iliadis, Plekkas, Papageorgiou F., Thomaidis (54′ Mavrias), Ogboe, Pedrozo, Nikolias.