PAOK’s determined youngsters were full of urgency and energetic play in the opening half-hour of the match and managed to go two goals up within the first 23 minutes.

First Doumtsis opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Tziolis made it 2-0 from a classic counter-attack from Panidis’ assist, setting up an enthralling contest which took on the feel of a derby clash.

The Ukrainians tried their best to respond, but each time they broke through the home defense, they were thwarted by the reactions of impressive PAOK goalkeeper Talichmanidis, who stopped whatever was thrown at him. One of the game’s crucial moments came in the 27th minute when Tziolis almost made it 3-0, but instead was denied by the woodwork.

In the second half fatigue began to affect both teams as the tempo of the game dropped considerably. PAOK were still enjoying the lion’s share of possession and sought desperately for a third goal which would have leveled the tie, but it did not come. And then, as the game entered its latter stages, the visitors began to get their foot on the ball and managed to score two late goals in the third and sixth minutes of added time to give the scoreline a flattering look from their point of view.

PAOK ended the match with 10 players after Tachatos was sent-off in the closing minutes.

PAOK line-up:

Talichmanidis, Tachatos, Panafiotiu (46′ Grosdis), Michailidis, Kaloutsikidis, Tsiggaras, Giaxis, Doumtsis, Tziolis (72′ Gorteziani), Koutsias (59′ Pournaras), Panidis (68′ Tsopouroglou).