It was one of thsoe games that are known as potential banana skins. A team from a lower division, on a poor pitch, combined with a long break from competitive action that preceeded it. However, PAOK traveled to Messinia well-read and they left with a clear victory, and one which gives them a convincing lead ahead of the Toumba second-leg match in the beginning of January.

Razvan Lucescu’s players entered the pitch with enthusiasm, kept the ball well, and found an opening goal in the 25th minute. After a sustained period of pressure, Konstantelias surged into the penalty area, produced an incredible dribble before being fouled by Asigba and a penalty was awarded. Nelson Oliveira made no mistake from the penalty spot and put PAOK in the lead.

The hosts tried to react, mainly trying to hit on the counter, but from the great opportunity they fashioned in the 42nd minute, Kotarski was equal to it, producing an amazing save to prevent Bakayoko from scoring from close range.

The pattern of the match did not change in the second half. Kalamata did manage to work their way into forward positions, but they did not manage to threaten at any point, with PAOK for their part locking up the match in the 78th minute.

That happened when Murg found Brandon in the area, and with a smart finish, the Spanairdbeat Mendes to make it 2-0, and that was how the match ended.

Team lineups:

Kalamata: Mendes, Mavinga (Alves Mateus 88′), Konstantinopoulos, Bakayoko, Lupano, Asigba, Papatolios, Karagounis, Moser (Tatos 69′), Rovas, Arnarellis (Vasiloyannis 73′)

PAOK: Kotarski, Rafa Soares, Nasberg (Koulierakis 58′), Kargas, Sastre (Vieirinha 75′), Filipe Soares (Schwab 65′), Augusto, Biseswar (Murg 65′), Konstantelias, Narey, Oliveira (Brandon 75′).