PAOK Football Club secured their fourth championship in history with a nail-biting victory over Aris, edging out defending champion AEK by a mere two points. The high-stakes clash unfolded in a tense derby match at Kleanthis Vilkelidis Stadium, where PAOK demonstrated resilience and teamwork to claim the title.
Despite playing with 10 men for the final 17 minutes, PAOK managed to clinch their second league title in the last six seasons. Brandon Thomas opened the scoring for PAOK in the first half, but Aris responded with a stunning strike from Loren Moron early in the second half. The decisive moment came when Brazilian midfielder Taison netted a crucial goal, sealing the victory and the championship for PAOK.
GREEK CHAMPIONS 2024 🦅🏆 ⚫⚪AGAINST ALL ODDS! #PAOK #FightBack pic.twitter.com/juLYYruJtD
— PAOK FC (@PAOK_FC) May 19, 2024
PAOK faced adversity when Giannis Michailidis received a red card in the 78th minute. However, the team held firm, thwarting Aris’ attempts to deny them the title. The memorable triumph was achieved with only 10 players on the field, showcasing PAOK’s determination and skill.
AEK, the defending champion, settled for second place after securing a convincing 3-0 home win against Lamia. Goals from Robert Ljubicic, Steven Zuber, and Damian Szymanski weren’t enough to overtake PAOK’s narrow lead.
In another thrilling match, Olympiakos secured third place in the league after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos. Their strong finish ensures European qualification for the next season.
Final Standings:
– PAOK: 80 points
– AEK: 78 points
– Olympiakos: 74 points
– Panathinaikos: 72 points
– Aris: 55 points
– Lamia: 35 points
PAOK’s victory means they will advance to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Meanwhile, AEK and Olympiakos are set to compete in the upcoming season’s Conference League. However, Olympiakos has a chance to secure a Europa League spot if they win the current season’s Conference League final on May 29.
The Super League season delivered intense drama, memorable moments, and a deserving champion in PAOK.
