\n<\/p>\n
PAOK went down to Steaua Bucharest in Toumba on Thursday for the first leg of their tie in the Europa League, while Panathinaikos suffered an upset by Vikingur Reykjavik in Helsinki for the Conference League.<\/p>\n
Ten-man PAOK lost 2-1 at home to its visitor from Bucharest, in the second time that Steaua has beaten PAOK in Thessaloniki this season, after its triumph during the league phase in October.<\/p>\n
The Greek champion started very well in this match, opening the score on the 22nd minute with Mbwana Samatta. However, in\u00a0 first-half injury-time PAOK was left with a man down due to the second yellow card shown to Taison, rendering the second half a very different game.<\/p>\n
Andrei Gheorghita and Joyskim Dawa, two half-time substitutes of Steaua coach Ilias Haralambous, turned things around in the first quarter of the second half with their goals, leaving PAOK with a mountain to climb if it is to qualify to the last 16 of the competition.<\/p>\n
The second leg is scheduled a week later in Bucharest.<\/p>\n
Panathinaikos suffered an unexpected 2-1 loss in Finland to Vikingur after a dismal performance by the Greens who had entered this tie as the favorites.<\/p>\n
The major defensive problems of the Athens giant allowed the team from Iceland, that played this home game in Helsinki, to make the most of its few chances and score on the 12th with David Atlason and on the 56th with Matthias Vilhjalmsson.<\/p>\n
Depleted before the game and unlucky to lose Tasos Bakasetas and Erik Palmer-Brown due to injuries during the game, Panathinaikos managed to find a goal in injury time thanks to a Fotis Ioannidis penalty kick, that somewhat eased the blow on the Greeks.<\/p>\n
The return leg is in Athens next Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n