Cup joy for Panathinaikos
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Article summary
Panathinaikos FC reached the Greek Cup final with a 1-0 second-leg win against local rivals AEK Athens FC.
Article body
Panathinaikos FC beat AEK Athens FC 1-0 to reach the Greek Cup final after winning 3-2 on aggregate, and are likely to face Olympiacos CFP in the final.
Early lead
Panathinaikos faced their local rivals in a packed Giannis Pathiakakis Stadium and took an early lead thanks to a powerful header from Giannis Goumas. The home side responded well and created chances to equalise, but Giannis Okkas and Nikos Lyberopoulos were wasteful with their finishing.
Comfortable win
Olympiacos, meanwhile, coasted to a 3-0 victory at third division Kastoria FC to move within touching distance of a final against their title rivals. The first goal came after 15 minutes, Grigoris Georgatos scoring direct from a free-kick. Olympiacos doubled the lead four minutes later when Lambros Houtos poked in from close range after good work by Predrag Djordjevic. Polish striker Marcin Kuzba wrapped up the win 13 minutes from time with another effort from close range.
Tough task
Kastoria, the first thrid division side to reach the last four of the Greek Cup, travel to the Rizoupoli Stadium for the second leg on 21 April. The final will be played on 8 May, in the newly-constructed Panpeloponissiako Stadium of Patras and will be regarded as a test event for the upcoming Olympic Games.
