PAOK qualify for another cup final
For the sixth time in the last seven years, PAOK will be in the final of the Greek Cup. Razvan Lucescu’s team had done most of the hard work in the first leg, and that big win combined with a draw on Wednesday saw them formally lock up their place in the big showpiece.
After winning convincingly 5-1 in the away leg, the margins for the visitors were minimal. Schwab’s goal in the first half extinguished any slender hopes of a Lamia comeback bid, and from then on the home fans were simply awaiting the final whistle to give the team a standing ovation before moving on to the next challenge.
PAOK started the match strongly, pinned Lamia in their own half and threatened mainly with a series of shots, but without finding the target. One of those shots in the 22nd minute by Taison struck the hand of a Lamia player with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Stefan Schwab made no mistake and put PAOK 1-0 ahead on the night and 6-1 up on aggregate.
Lamia found a way to equalize six minutes into the second half with Manousos scoring with a shot from inside the penalty area.
Having their minds seemingly more focused on the difficult league games to come, neither side took any risks. PAOK had the lion’s share of possession, and created several chances, but the winning goal did not come.
The 1-1 final score provided the formal confirmation that PAOK will be in yet another Greek Cup final, where AEK await.
Team lineups:
PAOK: Z.Zivkovic, Lyratzis. Kargas, Koulierakis, Vieirinha (Rafa Soares 68′), Schwab, Dantas (Filipe Soares 78′), Narey (Biseswar 46′), Konstantelias, Taison (A.Zivkovic 67′), Brandon (Oliveira 67′).
Lamia: Koselev, Vasilantonopoulos, Pavlavets, Tzanetopoulos, Saramandas, Slivka (Beharano 68′), Stanko, Martinez, Askovski (Simon 68′), Medina (Kotonikos 82′), Manousos (Vergos 68′)
