Greece round-up: Olympiacos go top

Olympiacos CFP seized pole position in the Hellenic National League at the weekend following a 2-0 home defeat of Kallithea FC.

Individual effort
The title holders, who face Galatasaray SK in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, were frustrated by solid defending in the first half but eventually found a way through in the 58th minute. Nery Alberto Castillo collected his fourth goal of the season, curling in a left-footed shot before Brazilian playmaker Giovanni Da Silva doubled the lead with a fine individual effort.

Hloros decider
Egaleo FC went third after inflicting the first league defeat of the campaign on second-placed Panathinaikos FC, running out 2-1 winners at home. The visitors only had themselves to blame when poor defending allowed Giannis Skopelites to put them behind in the fifth minute. Immediately afterwards, Dimitris Papadopoulos struck a leveller but Giannis Hloros made sure it was his side that took all three points just after the break.

Pyrrhic victory
FC PAOK, in fourth, were left in a sorry state despite a 3-0 win against OFI Crete FC because Dimitris Markos, Panagiotis Egomitis and Sladjan Spasic all suffered injuries. The goals arrived from Dimitris Salpingidis, substitute Michalis Giannitsanakis and Ebenizer Hagan.

Late goal
Panionios NFC lie in fifth position following their last-gasp 2-1 defeat of Iraklis FC at home. Panagiotis Giannopoulos’ header put his side in front just before the interval but Nikos Machlas thought he had salvaged a point with three minutes remaining. It was not to be as Adam Majevski clinched the victory in stoppage time.

Timely triumph
AEK Athens FC, who defeated FC Aris Thessaloniki 2-1, are a place behind. It was the first win for the visitors since the second game of the season and came courtesy of goals from Sotiris Konstantinidis and Nikos Lyberopoulos. Giannis Lazanas scored for the home team.

Maiden win
Elsewhere, Halkidona FC left it late to overcome Ionikos FC 3-2, Paniliakos FC impressed on their way to a 4-1 demolition of Proodeftiki FC and Xanthi FC were comfortable 2-0 winners against Akratitos FC, picking up their first three points of the season.