Xanthi on top of soccer league
Xanthi was the only team to double its wins in the second week of soccer’s Super League, after beating new boys Asteras Tripolis 2-0 at home, while champions Olympiakos notched up its first win, trouncing OFI Crete 6-2 in Piraeus yesterday. For Xanthi this was the second home tie in a row and it took full advantage on Saturday night, scoring twice within three minutes courtesy of its Argentinean midfielder Mauro Poi and Greek striker Stavros Lambriakos. Olympiakos moved into second place thanks to a thundering performance in the first half when the reds scored five times through Julio Cesar, Lomana LuaLua (two) and Darko Kovacevic (two). Stelios Sfakianakis had equalized for OFI. In the second half the champions dropped a gear but were still a threat to the hapless Cretans. Predrag Djordjevic added the sixth before Vassilis Torosidis scored an own-goal to make it 6-2. Panionios continued its convincing performances with an easy 2-0 home win over newly promoted Levadiakos through two early goals by Raffik Djebbour. Aris Thessaloniki also moved to four points after snatching a 0-0 draw from local rival Apollon Kalamaria at the Kaftantzoglion Stadium. Larissa stumbled at home to stubborn Veria (1-1), with the visitors leading through Radovan Krivokapic and the UEFA Cup challengers equalizing via Ibrahima Bakayoko. AEK found Atromitos a tough nut to crack, but eventually won 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium, with two Ismael Blanco goals. On Saturday PAOK downed Iraklis 3-0 in the Thessaloniki derby with goals coming from Christos Melissis, Lambros Vangelis and Vassilis Lakis. Late last night Panathinaikos was playing against Ergotelis in Crete.
