Greeks march on in UEFA Cup

James Belias

Caption AEK's players celebrate the goal just after half time which gave them the 0-1 victory away from home in the Czech Republic.

A strong away win has revitalised AEK's contention for the last 32 in the UEFA Cup, but the 0-1 result in the Czech Republic came with a few late scares. Panathinaikos, who have already qualified, took a strong step towards finishing first in their UEFA Cup group, and eliminated Lokomotiv Moscow in the process during the 2-0 win in Athens. Aris conceded an early goal but fought back to earn a 1-1 draw in Thessalonica, keeping alive their hopes of a place in the last 32 ahead of a cut-throat trip to Munich to face Bayern on the final Matchday. Finally, Panionios scored a dramatic victory in Austria with an injury time goal which could also see them qualify for the UEFA Cup final 32. Larissa, already eliminated, had the bye.


Mlada Boleslav 0 - AEK 1

A lone goal by Tamandani Nsaliwa just seconds into the second half gave AEK a crucial UEFA Cup victory away against Czech side Mlada Boleslav. AEK had only two draws from its opening two UEFA Cup group stage games and badly needed the win if the Greeks were to progress to the next phase of the UEFA Cup.

Knowing that only a win would suffice for AEK, Lorenzo Serra Ferrer opted for what he considered his strongest starting line-up for the cut-throat away match in the Czech Republic. The Czech side had not won any of its previous four European matches at home, while AEK was winless in its previous seven European away matches.

Buoyed by just under 1000 travelling AEK fans, the Greek side demonstrated a bright free flowing style of football, and made its intentions clear from the outset, but Rivaldo headed Daniel Tozer's wonderful cross over the bar. Despite having a lion's share of possession, AEK failed to capitalise, and both sides went into half time goalless.

Just after the break, AEK took an immediate lead. Ensaliwa's close-range shot crashed into the top corner following substitute Gustavo Manduca's left-wing cross. It was Manduca's first involvement in the match after he replaced Ismael Blanco at half time, and proved to be the most important contribution by any AEK player all night. Mlada chased a draw hard, but found only the woodwork on two occasions in the final ten minutes of the match.

The win takes AEK to five points, level with Fiorentina, and just two behind group leaders Villareal, AEK's opponents in their final game in Athens. A draw in that match will be enough to ensure AEK's qualification, while a win could see AEK top the group should Fiorentina and Mlada's match result in a draw.

If AEK loses to Villareal, and Mlada beats Fiorentina, the Czech side will progress and AEK will possibly be knocked out of the 2007/08 UEFA Cup, depending on goal difference.


Panathinaikos 2 - Lokomotiv Moscow 0

Panathinaikos had to wait until 20 minutes from time before their breaking down the Russian defense and a further goal minutes later sealed a 2-0 home win for the greens. The win puts Panathinaikos clear on top of Group B with 9 points from its first 3 games.

Diminutive striker Dimitris Salpingidis beat Lokomotiv goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli with a powerful shot from the edge of the box to open the scoring in the 70th minute and just four minutes later Salpingidis was the recipient of a superb cross from Loukas Vintra to head in his second of the night.

Panathinaikos made it through to UEFA's last 32 without kicking a ball on Matchday 3. Wins in their opening games against Aberdeen and away to FC Copenhagen combined with defeats for Aberdeen and Lokomotiv on 29 November ensured that neither of the latter sides can catch them and thus progression.

Ahead of the match, Lokomotiv, sitting in fourth place in Group B with two points from three games, needed only a win to avoid elimination from the competition. Panathinaikos, unbeaten in their last six European home games wanted a win to maximise its chances of finishing on top of Group B, and thus avoiding any of the Champions League teams in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

PAO will finish top of the group if they avoid defeat against Atletico Madrid in Spain, who have also qualified for the last 32.


Aris 1 - Braga 1

Aris had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home against Braga, coming back from a goal down, which they conceded as early as the 6th minute. The draw kept alive Aris' hopes of a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup but they have a tough trip ahead to Munich on the final Matchday.

A win for Aris would have guaranteed them a spot in the final round but they were made to work by the Portuguese side who controlled large parts of the match in Thessalonica.

Braga took an early lead in the game when Roland Linz finished off from C?sar Peixoto's corner, firing home from close range in the sixth minute. Aris hit back when Ronaldo headed home 20 minutes later after good build up work form defender Avraam Papadopoulos.

The result consolidates Aris' imperious home form in UEFA club competition - they have now gone 18 matches unbeaten at home since making their European debut in 1970. Dusan Bajevic's men now have to go to Bayern Munich in search of a result that will take them into the knockout phase.


Austria Wien 0 - Panionios 1

Panionios kept their UEFA Cup dreams alive with an injury time winner against Austria Vienna, in a tight game that both teams wanted to win. The Athenians had to wait until the second minute of injury time when Ivica Majstorovic rifled in a shot from a free kick which penetrated into the heart of the Austrian defence.

The fate of Panionios is now in their own hands; Provided they match Galatasaray's result (they play Austria Wien in Turkey), Ewald Lienen's side will qualify with in their last game, against Bordeaux on December 19.