AEK, Olympiakos finalists
Olympiakos and AEK advanced to the soccer cup final but failed to impress yesterday in the second legs of the semifinals. Olympiakos beat eight-man Larissa 1-0 away, yet stealing the show was third-division Agrotikos Asteras, which downed AEK 1-0 at home, but had to go out due to its 3-0 defeat in the first leg. The cup’s surprise side, the second-ever club from this division to reach the semis, faced a below-strength AEK team that lacked inspiration and morale after sliding to third in the league. The hosts from Thessaloniki played without stress and produced the first half’s main chances. AEK improved in the second half and hit the crossbar in the 59th minute, but in the second minute of injury time Panayiotis Tsouklis took advantage of a corner by Bane Nikic from the right and slotted the ball past keeper Stefano Sorrentino to give Agrotikos Asteras (which means «Agricultural Star») a famous victory. This was the third-ever defeat for AEK by a third-division team. Olympiakos carried a 3-1 lead to Larissa from the first leg in Piraeus and was never really troubled by the hosts. The Reds dominated the game but were unable to beat Larissa goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis. In the 72nd minute Larissa was left with 10 men as Nikos Dabizas conceded a penalty by handling the ball. However, Kotsolis saved the spot kick by Predrag Djordjevic, as he had done in the first leg, saving a Rivaldo penalty. Pantelis Kafes got on the rebound but his shot struck the crossbar and bounced on the goalline before the ball was kicked to safety. Kotsolis limped off in the 90th minute, though, and with Larissa having made all substitutions defender Panayiotis Bachramis had to wear the gloves. Nine-man Larissa could not avoid the goal by substitute Nery Castillo in injury time following two shots saved right on the line. The hosts finished the game with eight players as Brazilian defender Marino Rodrigues Helder was also sent off in the end. The cup final takes place on May 6 at the Pankrition stadium in Iraklion, Crete, with security concerns already raised about the two sets of fans.
