Greetings from Mantzis! The “invisible” PAE Giannina, considered by many to be the third favorite, won against Iraklis with a thrilling 2-1 victory at the “Zosimades” after a nail-biting match, thanks to two powerful strikes from Mantzis that left a perfect impression on the fans in Ioannina. Thus, the Epirus team doubled their wins in the demanding and tough Super League 2 championship and lifted their morale to new heights.
Modestly and humbly, PAE Giannina must continue. The road is long and difficult, challenges and obstacles will arise, and only if the fans rally around this year’s effort will there be prospects for a championship run. Additionally, the management must fulfill its obligations formally, so that the only concern of the team will be their opponents and the matches. All of these are basic prerequisites, but above all, unity and those breathtaking images following each match, with fans and players becoming one and singing the slogans together, are essential.
However, let’s start from the beginning. In terms of performance, those lucky enough to be at the stadium and those watching the match on television surely enjoyed two very beautiful hours, as the game had rhythm, intensity, chances, moments of quality, and clashes that demonstrated the passion of the 22 players for victory.
PAE Giannina entered the game truly prepared and with their foot on the pedal in the first 15-20 minutes, but even until the 30th minute, they did not seem particularly troubled by their opponent. Then, a goal came from a set piece, with Soria delivering the ball from a corner to Mantzis, and the experienced striker sent it to the corner of the small area with a beautiful shot that found the back of Stournaras’ net.
Five minutes later, Mantzis almost scored another beautiful goal during a counterattack when he attempted to “lob” Stournaras with a delicate shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Iraklis’ goalkeeper managed to keep the ball out of the net with an impressive stretching save.
After the 30th minute, Iraklis improved their ball circulation in midfield and took control of the match, with PAE allowing some space as it appeared Iraklis was finding many gaps while they pressed high. Eventually, the visitors’ pressure paid off; in the 44th minute, during a counterattack, Kynigopoulos passed to Tsirigotis, who shot unchallenged, as Bakadimas inadvertently made the save difficult for Athanasiou with his header, and the ball ended up in the net for 1-1. The equalizer came at a crucial point just before the teams headed to the locker rooms, which certainly caused concern for PAE and gave Iraklis a boost in confidence.
The second half began promisingly for a game with an even faster pace and saw Iraklis making an announcement regarding the refereeing and against the president of EPO, Makis Gagatsis, for their role in the referees’ psychology, who allegedly favored Iraklis, filling PAE players with yellow cards for the slightest contact.
Fortunately, Rene Poms’ players focused solely on the match and not the referee, and the match – as mentioned – from the first minute of the second half hinted at a thrilling development.
In the 50th minute, Iraklis had a great chance for 1-2 when Kynigopoulos broke free from the right, entered the area, and with a shot from a wide angle rattled Athanasiou’s crossbar, with Tsirigotis being stopped by the outstanding Athanasiou upon rebound!
Back and forth the ball went, and just a minute later, Gino won the ball with a fantastic tackle in midfield and delivered an excellent through pass to Heinrich, who was in a one-on-one scenario, but right as he shot, Kivrakidis heroically tackled him from behind, conceding a corner.
In the 65th minute, PAE launched another counterattack with Heinrich passing back to Mantzis, who shot into the crowded bodies in front of the line, earning a corner from which the 2-1 emerged! Loukas, with a well-executed corner, found Mantzis’ head, and he scored with a powerful header once again finding the top of Iraklis’ goal.
PAE managed another counterattack in the 67th minute, with Mantzis being thwarted this time by Stournaras with a shot from a wide position.
Notably, after the 2-1, PAE Giannina did not go back to giving space to their opponent despite Draagatis’ “honorable” efforts to call fouls and distribute yellow cards generously! The situations were always cleared by a defense that had good positioning for these fouls. The only response Iraklis made was in the 78th minute when Bertolio skillfully executed a free kick just outside the area, but aimed for the intersection of Athanasiou’s posts!
No other incidents occurred during the match despite the 7-minute extension, which the referee generously offered to Iraklis, and the Giannina fans celebrated a very significant victory that makes them a formidable opponent, but we reiterate, not quite a favorite yet. The follow-up must be in low tones, and the team with its hard work will be the one to ultimately show how far it can go.
Unquestionably, the celebrations at the end were justified, as a release from the crowd was needed.
PAE’s next opponent will be Niki Volou at the “Zosimades” in a match where fan presence is imperative, since matches against opponents who will play more defensively are won with vocal support.
The lineups of both teams
PAE Giannina (Poms): V. Athanasiou, Ritter, Bakadimas, Sobotchinski, Soria, Loukas, Begala, Gino, Heinrich (86′ Leo), Athanasiou (71′ Nikoliadis), Mantzis (71′ Sepovits)
Iraklis (Ofrydopoulos): Stournaras, Kivrakidis (86′ Kaloutsikidis), Tasoulis, Sideras, Diamantis, Hamond, Belmond (67′ Dukouré), Christodoulopoulos (67′ Miranda), Bertolio, Kynigopoulos, Tsirigotis (86′ Kousta).