Greece round-up: Stuttering Panathinaikos edge victory

Hellenic National League leaders Panathinaikos FC appeared to be suffering a UEFA Champions League hangover as they laboured to victory against Iraklis FC on Sunday.

Nothing special
It was not a vintage display from Panathinaikos, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Rangers FC in Europe in midweek, but a 75th-minute goal from Dimitris Papadopoulos was enough to collect all three points and ensure his side remained in charge domestically after six games of the season.

Castillo hat-trick
Nery Alberto Castillo hit a hat-trick as second–placed Olympiacos CFP brushed aside OFI Crete 4-1 in a thoroughly one-sided encounter. The Uruguayan midfield player opened the scoring from close range in the 19th minute, doubled the lead in the 40th and picked up number three soon after the break. Brazilian playmaker Giovanni made it 4-0 before Masia Bikovski salvaged some pride for the visitors.

Another triumph
Egaleo FC chalked up their fourth consecutive win to go third thanks to a narrow 1-0 defeat of Proodeftiki FC. A Giorgos Barkoglou header settled the encounter in the 63rd minute. FC PAOK Thessaloniki, now in fourth, were held to a 1-1 draw by Xanthi FC, who surprised the home side as early as the fourth minute when they were awarded a penalty after Deniz Baikara was brought down and Guenther Friesenbichler stepped up to convert. Dimitris Markos nevertheless saved some blushes with the leveller.

Forging on
Panionios GS’s robust start to the season continued unabated as they remained in fifth position thanks to a 2-0 defeat of Ionikos FC courtesy of goals from Juan Martin Parodi and a penalty neatly slotted in by Christos Kontis.

AEK shock
A position behind are AEK Athens FC, who were shocked at home by a 2-1 reverse – their first league defeat of the season - at the hand of newly-promoted Halkidona. A spectacular lob from Dimosthenis Manousakis gave the visitors a lead that was doubled by Giorgos Korakakis. Ilija Ivic pulled one back for his shellshocked side in the 73rd minute.

Gekas treble
Elsewhere, Akraitos FC and Paniliakos FC fought out a 2-2 draw while Fanis Gekas was delighted to collect a hat-trick for Kallithea FC, who showed flair in a 4-0 demolition of FC Aris Thessaloniki.