Olympiakos extends its lead
Olympiakos, despite its disappointing Champions League departure last Wednesday night, managed to extend its lead in the Greek first division with a 2-0 home win against Apollon Kalamaria yesterday. The Piraeus club, on 26 points after 11 rounds, lies three points ahead of second-placed AEK following its 1-1 away draw against Xanthi on Saturday. A goal from striker Michalis Constantinou during the last minute of regular time gave Panathinaikos a 1-0 win over bottom-placed Ergotelis yesterday. Panathinaikos now joins AEK in second place with 23 points. Also yesterday, newly promoted Corfu club Kerkyra earned its first-ever away win in the Greek first division with a 2-1 win over Kallithea to improve its position in the competition’s relegation zone. Ionikos and Halkidona, both mid-placed, shared the points of their encounter with a scoreless draw, while OFI and PAOK drew 2-2. In the round’s other matches, played Saturday, it was: Aris-Aegaleo, 0-0; Iraklis, Panionios, 0-1. Front runner Olympiakos, still reeling following Wednesday’s 3-1 loss against Liverpool at Anfield, which sunk the Greek club to third place from first in its group – and, consequently, out of the Champions League – nevertheless rebounded with a goal apiece from Castillo and Grigoris Georgatos for a deserved 2-0 win over Apollon.
