Before kick-off, Olympic champion Anna Korakaki and Kostas Douvalidis –both stemming from Drama- were presented with honorary awards for their many international distinctions.

Under the instructions of Vladan Ivić’s assistant, Giannis Thomaidis, PAOK fielded four players of the senior team and many U20 members who played for the U17 team last season. Mame Baba Thiam made his unofficial debut. Although lacking preparation, he played for 55 minutes and got a first taste of his new team. Second-tier Doxa Drama, having many experienced players in their ranks, gave their most important test ahead of the new season.

It was a quick-paced match from minute one, as both sides strived to create chances to score. PAOK wasted two good opportunities through Panagiotis Deligiannidis (7’) and Nikos Korovesis (27’). In the last quarter of the first half, the home side gained metres on the pitch and managed to take the lead in the 40th minute with a shot by Karlopoulos, who was teed up by Kourtesiotis.

After the interval, Thomaidis gave entrance to more U20 youngsters, while Doxa Drama fielded their newly-signed players and, despite surrendering possession to PAOK, the home side ended up scoring more. Giondis (55’), Joti (63’) and Gaitartzis (stoppage time) made it 4-0.

PAOK line-up: Muca, Tsaousis, Kyrilidis, Dimitriou, Deligiannidis, Κorovesis, Αidonidis, Τzovaras, Dimitriadis, Μattheou, Thiam.

The following players came on as substitutes: Lyratzis, Κozak, Konstantinou, Polyzos, Kragiopoulos, Noukaris, Gialamoudis, Kapretsos.