PAOK found solutions to all the difficult moments they encountered on the pitch, battled with all their might, but an unfortunate moment in the finale deprived them of an important three-point haul.

The first minutes of the match were of a «reconnaissance» nature, with the visitors pressing better, having some good possession and trying to threaten Pavlenka’s goal, albeit without success, while on the other hand PAOK tried to keep the ball and impose their game on the visitors.

In the 15th minute, Brann won a penalty after Sorensen was tripped by Meite inside the area, but Kornvig, who took the spot-kick, was denied by Pavlenka , who leaped down low to his right to parry the ball to safety.

In the 22nd minute, the first good chance arrived for PAOK, with Bianco launching a powerful shot goalwards, but Dingeland saved it. PAOK continued to press and two minutes later missed another good opportunity with Taison heading a cross from A. Zivkovic at goal, but he did not find the target.

As time passed, PAOK improved further and pressed better. In the 31st minute, Dingeland managed to deny Taison with the Brazilian clean through on goal in a one-on-one, while afterwards Kenny prduced a wonderful cross, Giakoumakis arrived at full-stretch to direct the ball goalwards, but it was too close to Brann goalkeeper Dingeland who saved it.

By the end of the first half, both A. Zivkovic and Michailides each had a good chance, but theu could not get the breakthrough and it remained 0-0 at half-time.

The second half started with a great opportunity for the hosts with A. Zivkovic getting a shot off but not finding the target. The intensity increased as the half wore on, but there were fewer chances for both sides.

It took PAOK until the 67th minute to create a good chance, but this was to be a pivotal one for the match. Michailides found Giakoumakis with a great long ball, and he laid it off to Taison. The Brazilian found Ivanusec with a cute pass, and the Croatian turned impressively in the box before beating the visiting ‘keeper with a curled finish to make it 1-0.

In fact, a few minutes later, Ivanusec had another good attempt on goal with a shot from outside the area, but Dingeland again had the answer and saved it. Brann responded to the opportunities with Pavlenka making a great save from a Castro free-kick.

PAOK seemed to be in control of the game until the end, and they had good moments to score more goals, but in a moment of inertia in the black and white defense saw Brann equalize in the 89th minute. Kornvig was the man on target, chesting the ball into the back of the net from close range following a right wing cross that served to deprive PAOK of a victory that would have given them a significant boost in their bid to secure qualification to the next stage.

The team lineups:

PAOK: Pavlenka, Kenny, Kedziora, Michailides, Baba, Bianco (62′ Ozdoev), Meite, Taison (79′ Despodov), Ivanushek, A. Zivkovic, Giakoumakis (84′ Chalov).

Brann: Dingelland, Dragsnes (87′ Saltvelt), Larsen (72′ De Roeve), Knudsen, Helland, Gudmundsson (78′ Pedersen), Sorensen, Kornvig, Castro (72′ Holland), Mathisen (72′ Fine), Holm.