Greek Panathinaikos hosts Ukrainian Shakhtar in a crucial Europa League clash
On Thursday, August 7, the iconic Greek stadium «Spyrros Louis» in Athens will host a significant third qualifying round match of the UEFA Europa League, where local giants Panathinaikos will face off against Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.
This encounter marks a pivotal stage in the pursuit of entry into the main tournament phase, making it an eagerly anticipated showdown for both teams.
Shakhtar, having already advanced through two qualification rounds by defeating Finnish «Ilves» and Turkish «Besiktas», aims to secure a spot in the group stage once again.
Meanwhile, Panathinaikos entered the qualification cycle but fell short in the second round of Champions League qualifiers against Scottish «Rangers».
Last season, the Greek team finished second in their domestic league, trailing Olympiacos by 16 points, and now looks to make amends through European competitions.Referee for this match has been appointed as Belgian official Erik Lambrecht, known for his strict officiating style.
The second leg will take place on August 14 in Poland, with the winner advancing to the playoff round where they will face Turkish «Samsunspor».
Losers, in turn, will drop into the Europa Conference League and meet the winner of the match between Swiss «Servette» and Dutch «Utrecht».The game started cautiously, with both teams initially probing for openings.
By the 74th minute, Panathinaikos’ goalkeeper Rafael made a crucial save from Eginaldu’s shot, while at 73 minutes, Shakhtar’s Tutan introduced double substitutions.
Both sides maintain possession actively, attempting to break the deadlock, though no goals have been scored so far.
The match promises to be intense — a battle not only for victory but also for European prestige and future opportunities in continental tournaments.