Olympiacos prevail in Greek Cup classic

Olympiacos CFP completed a domestic double after a 15-14 penalty shoot-out win against AEK Athens FC capped an unforgettable Greek Cup final, with Antonis Nikopolidis the hero after the game finished 4-4 after extra time.

Improbable drama
The two sides took 17 penalties each, with Olympiacos goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis, 38, finally emerging as the hero of the hour, saving Agustin Pelletieri's spot-kick before stepping up to convert the winner himself. It was a fitting end to perhaps the most exciting Greek Cup final of all time, with Olympiacos recovering from going 2-0 down to prevail.

Level terms
Ismael Blanco seemed to have set AEK up for success, heading home from a fourth-minute Rafik Djebbour cross before powering in a left-footed shot four minutes later. Olympiacos recovered after the break, with English substitute Matt Derbyshire converting a Didier Domi cross with his head before Dudu was given space to level in the 70th minute after AEK failed to clear a cross.

Scorer dismissed
Nonetheless, it all looked to be over on 90 minutes as Nacho Scocco's shot curled past Nikopolidis in the Olympiacos goal, but Derbyshire – on loan from Blackburn Rovers FC – nodded in Luis Diogo's cross three minutes into added time to keep the tie alive. Luciano Galletti put Olympiacos ahead for the first time in the 102nd minute but was promptly sent off for a second bookable offence: removing his shirt to celebrate the goal.

Final denoument
Avraam Papadopoulos followed his team-mate to the dressing room for his second caution of the night soon afterwards, and AEK pressed their advantage, with Scocco scoring his second of the night with his left foot. However, it only prolonged the agony for AEK, who will have the small consolation of having played in one of the most memorable games in the history of Greek football.