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Greece Not Represented in Champions League After 20 Years

goalOlympiacos failed to reach the Champions League group round qualifiers after a 0-1 loss to Hapoel Beersheba at Turner Stadium in Israel.
At the same time, PAOK lost 1-2 to Ajax in Thessaloniki and does not qualify for the next round. The Greek teams’ losses left Greece without representation in the Champions League since the 1996-1997 season.
Olympiacos entered the third qualifying round as a firm favorite to advance, playing in the group stage in each of the past five seasons and in 17 of the last 19 years. After a 0-0 draw in Piraeus last week, a Shir Tzedek goal in the 79th minute of the game gave the Israeli club the precious win.
The Greek champions had another disappointing performance on Wednesday night after the scoreless draw in the first game. Like in the first game, they failed again to create scoring opportunities.
In Thessaloniki, PAOK entered the field as favorites as well, after a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam last week marked by a good performance. Despite PAOK’s ideal start with Stefanos Athanasiadis scoring in the 4th minute of the game, Ajax’s Davy Klaassen (45’+) equalized the score with a penalty.
Even though the Thessaloniki team lost several chances to score more goals. PAOK’s efforts to fight back in the second half proved unsuccessful, as Klaassen scored a second goal near the end of the match (88′) leaving the Greek players and fans disappointed.
The two teams will now play qualifying games in order to enter the group stage of the less prestigious Europa League. Olympiacos and PAOK will find out their opponents after Friday’s drawing.

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