In truth, the hard work had been done in Thessaloniki. Last week’s 4-0 win at the Toumba did not give the hosts much hope of claiming anything. PAOK also came out on the pitch in Dublin with the intention of not giving the hosts any leeway. And so the visitors completely dominated the pitch, creating many chances and in the end, with two goals in the second leg, they got the victory.

PAOK, with several changes in hte starting lineup compared to the game with Panetolikos, started well, circulating the ball effectively, and did not flinch from the initial enthusiasm of the Irish at times, and they threatened via Despodov on two occasions, but also through Ozdoev and A.Zivkovic, albeit without finding the net.

In the second half the Irish had their own good first moment in the 53rd minute but Kotarski saved from Kavanagh and in the 64th minute everything was decided.

After a period of sustained pressure, Pohls stopped A.Zivkovic’s shot, but Ozdoev was there to score from the rebound.

PAOK did not look back after that and continued to create opportunities. From one of them in the 75th minute, Schwab found Despodov and he made the final score 2-0 with an excellent finish.

PAOK now await Friday’s (14:00 Greek time) draw to find out their opponents in the League Phase of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League while turning their attention to Sunday’s game against Atromitos in Peristeri in the Stoiximan Super League.

Team lineups:

Shamrock Rovers: Pohls, Cleary, Lopes, Kavanagh (Grace 65′), Towell, McEneff, O’Neill (Noonan 65′), O’Sullivan, Burns (Farrugia 65′), Byrne (Mudroy 65′), McNulty (Burke 65′).

PAOK: Kotarski, Baba (Rafa Soares 76′), Michailidis, Kedziora, Otto, Kamara, Ozdoev (Schwab 71′), Murg (Taison 71′), Despodov, A.Zivkovic (Konstantelias 71′), Tissoundali (Chalov 71′).