PAOK beats Aris 2-1 to win Greek league for 4th time
PAOK's players celebrate winning the Greek Super League soccer championship at Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Credit: AP/Giannis Papanikos
ATHENS, Greece — PAOK will enter the qualifying rounds of the Champions League next season after beating fellow Thessaloniki club Aris 2-1 on Sunday to win Greece’s Super League for the fourth time.
PAOK held on to win despite playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Giannis Michailidis was sent off. It finished two points ahead of defending champion AEK Athens, which beat visiting Lamia 3-0.
In a tense game at Aris’ home ground, PAOK opened the scoring in the 30th minute, on its first breakaway, with Spanish forward Brandon assisted by Andrija Zivkovic.
Aris equalized in the 47th through Spanish striker Loren who controlled Moses Odubajo's cross inside the area, swiveled and sent a fierce volley into the top left of the goal.
In the 62nd, veteran Brazilian Taison shot from the edge of the area for the winning goal.
After the game, tens of thousands of PAOK fans converged on the team's home ground.
Third-place Olympiakos finished above fourth-place Panathinaikos after the bitter rivals drew 2-2. Aris finished fifth and Lamia sixth.
PAOK's players celebrate winning the Greek Super League soccer championship at Kleanthis Vikelidis stadium in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Credit: AP/Giannis Papanikos
