Panathinaikos once again shouted “present” in the European Cups! The Greens, after a spirited and courageous performance in Samsun, secured their ticket to the Europa League League Phase. The 0-0 draw away at Samsunspor, combined with last week’s 2-1 victory at OAKA, gave the Shamrock exactly what they deserved: a thoroughly deserved qualification!
The Panathinaikos players executed Rui Vitória’s excellently designed game plan to perfection. Playing with passion, self-sacrifice, and determination, they controlled most of the 90 minutes, created the clearest chances—even if they didn’t score—were barely threatened, kept a clean sheet, and especially in the second half never allowed the Turkish side to believe they could qualify. Panathinaikos proved across both legs that they were the better team…
The hosts, however, pushed forward early on, spurred by their fans, and threatened for the first time in the 8th minute with Emre, who went one-on-one with Dragowski. The Polish goalkeeper, however, made a crucial save with his face to deny the Turkish attacker’s shot! They created another chance in the 16th minute with Mouandilmadji, who shot from the edge of the box but the ball went wide.
In the 23rd minute it was Panathinaikos’ turn to make their presence felt in the Samsunspor penalty area with a classic chance. Bakasetas delivered a fine free kick and Kyriakopoulos, who slipped smartly behind the Turkish defense, shot just inches wide of the left post.
In the 38th minute Dragowski was once again alert, saving a shot from Musaba after a quick counterattack by Samsunspor. The Greens responded with another great chance. In the 42nd minute Bakasetas played a brilliant through ball to Ioannidis, who broke free against Kocuk from a wide angle. The captain struck with his left foot from a difficult position, but the ball hit the outside of the post and went out.
Samsunspor tried to threaten again in stoppage time of the first half with a diagonal shot from Musaba inside the box, but Dragowski reacted well, keeping the score at 0-0 at the break.
The second half started (48’) with a big chance for the Greens. Ioannidis dribbled past Van Drongelen, shot with his right, but the ball went just wide of the right post. The Shamrock came close again in the 66th minute after a wonderful combination between Ioannidis and Tete, with the Greek striker feeding the Brazilian, who was denied in a one-on-one by Kocuk.
The control of the match was now entirely in the hands of the Panathinaikos players, who managed the remaining time perfectly until the final whistle. The Greens kept possession wisely, neutralizing every attacking attempt by the Turkish side, and were never truly threatened during the second half.
The final whistle found the Greens celebrating in front of the team’s heroic fans, who traveled all the way to Samsun to shout once again: Greece – Europe – Panathinaikos!
Samsunspor: Kocuk, Yavru (78’ Mendes), Satka, Van Drongelen, Thomasson, Yuksel (60’ Holse), Musaba, Moukoudi, Ntcham, Emre (60’ Dimata), Mouandilmadji (78’ Yaldir).
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Kotsiras, Palmer-Brown, Toumba, Kyriakopoulos, Chirivella, C̱erin, Bakasetas (71’ Siopis), Tete (89’ Jeremeyeff), Djuricic (63’ Pellistri), Ioannidis (71’ Swiderski).
