SPORTS

AEK reaches final of the Greek Cup with goalless draw at Panserraikos

AEK advanced to the final of soccer’s Greek Cup, with a 3-1 aggregate score over Panserraikos, after snatching a goalless draw at Serres in the second leg yesterday. Panserraikos dominated the first half but could not convert any of the three major chances it got in that period, partly due to two crucial saves by AEK goalkeeper Sebastian Saja. The second half started with the same pattern, as Panserraikos kept putting pressure on the AEK defense, which always seemed to have the right response. After the 60th minute, AEK started making inroads into the local defense, with Nacho Scocco missing the biggest chance for his club in the 72nd minute, as his header went just wide. In injury time, Aristidis Galanopoulos of Panserraikos received his marching orders for a second bookable offense. Eventually AEK managed to hold on to its aggregate lead rather comfortably and can now look forward to the final knowing it has now secured a spot in Europe for next season. In the other semifinal, Olympiakos is hosting Asteras Tripolis tonight (6 p.m.) at the Karaiskaki Stadium. The first leg between the two Super League sides had ended 2-2 at Tripolis. The final is scheduled for May 2 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. In the meantime, Panathinaikos’s Swedish right-back Michael Nilsson is moving to Denmark’s Brondby this summer. The Copenhagen side announced the acquisition of the former Southampton player for the next three years. Nilsson has been at Panathinaikos since 2005 and is a regular starter for his national team. He has 58 caps and three goals.

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