Koutris sends PAS Giannina to Europa League’s next round
PAS Giannina very nearly paid for its inexperience in European competitions, letting slip its first-leg 3-0 lead, but its away goal in extra time saw the Europa League first-timers advance past Odd Grenland in Norway with a 3-1 loss on Thursday and a 4-3 aggregate score.
After holding its host to a goalless draw in the first 55 minutes PAS conceded twice within three to find itself trailing 2-0 to goals by Fredrik Nordkvelle and Chukwuma Akabueze.
The Greeks then bowed to the Norwegians’ late pressure to give away a third two minutes from time, goal scored by Espen Ruud.
The match went to extra time, but that was when Leonardo Koutris shone for the Epirus club, scoring the precious away goal on the 98th minute and hitting the woodwork on the 110th.
PAS will now face Dutch side Alkmaar in the third qualifying round of the competition.
In the mean time Panathinaikos has found out it will face AIK Solna in the third qualifying round, as the Swedish team eliminated Europa from Gibraltar on Thursday.
