PAOK in London: An unforgettable night in Highbury
It was PAOK’s first visit to England and it turned out to be one of the most memorable European achievements of Greek clubs. Against all odds, the “Double-Headed Eagle” managed to eliminate Arsenal by securing a draw in their mighty home ground, the legendary “Highbury”.
30.09.1997. A date engraved on the history books of the “Double-Headed Eagle”. It was the day that Arsène Wenger’s Arssenal bowed before PAOK, then coached by Angelos Anastasiadis.
Boosted by their 1-0 victory in the Toumba leg, courtesy of Kostas Frantzeskos’s goal, the “Double-Headed Eagle” travelled to London as the overwhelming outsiders of the tie –but they had nothing to lose.
Back then, Arsenal were leading the Premier League standings and has huge stars of the game at their ranks: Vieira, Bergkamp, Overmars, Wright, Seaman…
PAOK, on the other hand, were fresh out of their five-year ban from European competition and eager to make an impression on the continental front. And they did so, in emphatic fashion!
As expected, the English side started strongly in order to overturn the first-leg result and secure qualification. PAOK withstood the hammering of the Gunners, despite conceding a goal in the 22nd minute, scored by Dennis Bergkamp. In the 87th minute, Zisis Vryzas stamped PAOK’s seal on that epic night, by beating Seaman and securing a 1-1 draw that eliminated the English league-cup double holders of that season.
Watch the video with the highlights of that historic encounter and register on the club’s official YouTube channel to get our team’s latest news with picture and sound.
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