Unstoppable PAOK, overturned Helsinki and made history!

Wonderful PAOKmade history and is preparing for the breakthrough in Europe!

The “double head of the North” prevailed 4-2 Helsinki in the last matchday of his groups European Conference Leaguein a game that started sluggishly, but as time went on he picked up his performance and went on to another European win.

THE Radulovic opened the scoring early, o Ozdoev brought the game into balance and the second half completely belonged to the “black and white”. They overturned the score with him ConstantiaToivio scored an own goal and Murg scored the fourth goal for his side, with former AEK player Perparim Hetemai scoring the second goal for the Finns, quite special for the 37-year-old as it was the last game of his career.

A historic “three points” for PAOK, who finished the 7th group with 16 points and became the Greek team that collected the most points in a group in a European competition, a record that will belong to them forever, since from the new season they will be abolished and we will have a new single point format.

In the minds of the coaches:

THE Razvan Lucescu did not proceed to an extended rotation, although the game was not interesting and follows a match with Asteras in Tripoli, but it had some changes in its defensive line PAOK. Kotarski remained under the posts, Kenziora was preferred on the right side of the defense, Rafa Soares on the left side and Ekong and Michaelidis duo as stoppers.

In the midfield, the European duo of Meite and Ozdoev took a starting position, while in the midfield, Constantelias was chosen as a staff midfielder, with Despodov on the right and Tyson on the left, who also moved in the axis. Brandon Thomas is the only promoted to the top of the attack.

On the opposite bank, Tony Korkeakunas, he kept the 3-4-3 formation, but sometimes a five was created in defense. Maepa was at her hearth Helsinki and in the defensive trio Hamlainen, Gratsa and Toivio. Keskinen, Soiri, Kanellopoulos and Lingman took the starting jerseys in the midfield, while in the attacking trio Bande and Hostika were preferred on the sides and Radulovic as a center forward.

The match:

PAOK did not enter the match as it usually does, especially in Toumba, as it showed a laxity in its markings, while in the offensive part the Konstantelias he was the only one active from the start, with the young midfielder threatening before the first minute with some fine energy.

Helsinki had a clear aim to hit the counters and find the gaps and just like that in the 6th minute they opened the scoring! Bande looked straight at him Radulovic between the lines, he from inside the area received the ball nicely and finished the phase perfectly into Kotarski’s left corner for 1-0.

The hosts were not aggressive, with the Finns keeping the ball at their feet more, while PAOK was looking for a good moment to enter the match and… warm up Toumba, which he found in the 14th minute, when Despodov executed the corner , Maenpa didn’t come out right and saw the ball go through, but his projection Michaelidis found there stopped at the beam.

After half an hour of play the “two-headed man of the North” returned to his… factory settings, raised his intensity and became quite threatening in the home of Maenpa. In the 31st minute, Tyson and Thomas worked together nicely, o Despodov he tried the diagonal shot, but found Maenpa on hand. Two minutes later (33′) Kenziora made the turn in the area, Tyson left the ball to Constantia which was found unmarked but the youngster’s finish was poor and went over the bar.

PAOK pressed both from the left and from the right and in the 37th minute brought the game into balance with Ozdoev! Tyson and Meite partnered from the left, the Frenchman turning, the Russian stepping into the area and finishing on the move powerfully to make it 1-1, showing just how influential he has been in the execution of Razvan Lucescu’s side this season.

In the 43rd minute, the Thessalonikians “shouted” for a penalty for Toivio’s hold on Tomas, with Kruasvili saying “it’s played” after the VAR examination, while in the delays of the first half, Helsinki missed a great opportunity. Thomas lost the ball with a risky dribble outside the area, Keskinen from a good position in the area took a shot but the ball went wide, 1-1 was the score of the first half.

At the start of the second half, PAOK leveled and turned the match upside down! In the 47th minute, Kaskinen under the pressure of Tomas made a “chaf”, o Konstantelias he received well and scored with his left foot for 2-1! In fact, six minutes later (53′) the “two-headed man of the North” sealed the victory, with Michaelidis making the projection from a corner that was executed, the ball hit Toivios and ended up in the net for 3-1.

At that time of the match the “black and white” did what they wanted, Tyson came close to a fourth goal, but Maenpa stopped him. Afterwards, the coaches of the teams made several changes, which significantly affected the pace of the match. In the 75th minute Meite took the shot after Marcos Antonio’s action but it went wide, while in the next good moment PAOK scored 4-1! Nice combination between Tyson and Murgthe Austrian found space in the area and with a great inspiration, put Maepa through and sent the ball into the net.

In stoppage time (90+1′) the former AEK player, Perparim Hetemaiwon a penalty from Marcos Antonio, he himself took over the execution, sending the ball into the net for the final 4-2, with PAOK completing their obligations in the Europa Conference League groups in the best possible way, taking first place and qualification to the 16″.

MVP: THE Konstantelias he was excellent in another game, he scored the goal that PAOK overturned the match and was a constant source of danger for Helsinki’s defense.

The whistle: Mediocre refereeing from the Georgian, Giorgi Kruashviliwhich could give Toivio a holding penalty on Thomas in the first half, as well as in stoppage time in a marking on Jima.

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski, Kenziora (71′ Vieirinia), Ekong, Michaelidis, Rafa Soares (71′ Bamba), Meite, Ozdoev (71′ Marcos Antonio), Despodov, Tyson, Constantelias (75′ Murg), Tomas (80′ Jimas).

Helsinki (Toni Korkeakunas): Maenpaa, Toivio, Da Grassa, Hamalainen, Soiri, Kanellopoulos (66′ Koasivi-Benisan), Lingman (80′ Paananen), Keskinen (66′ Olila), Hostika (66′ Hetemai), Bande, Radulovic (65′ Olusania).

Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili (Georgia)

Assistants: Varamishvili, Pipia (Georgia)

Fourth Referee: Apsiauri (Georgia)

VAR: Cesar Soto, Iglesias (Spain)

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