Much maligned in recent years, Greek football got a shot in the arm on Wednesday with two of the country’s clubs fighting their way through to the playoffs of the UEFA Champions League.
From a situation before the summer when Greece’s Super League was suspended by the government amid controversies on and off the pitch, Athens’ AEK and Thessaloniki’s PAOK both made it through to the playoffs on Wednesday.
AEK were hosting Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic who were already behind thanks to a 1-1 performance in Parkhead which saw the Athenians pick up a valuable away goal.
In Athens on Wednesday, AEK went one better, beating the visitors 2-1 to run out 3-2 winners on aggregate.
PAOK had a stern test in Russia as they faced Spartak Moscow but held on for a 0-0 draw which was enough to go through after beating the Russian side 3-2 in the first leg at home.
Both sides go through to take on the cream of Europe’s football sides.
Source: greekreporter.com