Champion stunned by battler
Front runner and defending soccer champion Olympiakos’s perfect domestic record this season was spoiled yesterday by lowly Athens club Atromitos, which beat the leader 1-0 at home. But Olympiakos remains five points clear. Second-placed Panathinaikos completes Round 7 of play today against AEK at home and could narrow the gap to two points with a victory. Olympiakos went into yesterday’s clash looking hungover by a midweek home loss against Roma in a Champions League Group D match that seriously dampened the Greek club’s hopes of making the competition’s next stage. Also yesterday, Apollon Kalamaria hosted OFI for a scoreless draw. Xanthi, a poor starter this season following UEFA Cup qualification last season, was held to a 1-1 home draw by Kerkyra. Panionios defeated Larissa, 2-1. In games on Saturday, Thessaloniki rivals Aris and PAOK, both midtable, played a scoreless draw loaded with yellow cards. Cretan club Ergotelis beat Iraklis 2-1, and Aegaleo earned a 1-0 away win against Ionikos taking the small Athens club to third place.