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Greek side shames hosts Tottenham

Comment: 0 December 1st, 2011 by: admin

PAOK Thessaloniki put Tottenham Hotspur in danger of getting ousted from the Europa League by hammering out a 2-1 victory on Wednesday.

The Greek side were quick to the draw as they found the back of the net two times just in the first 13 minutes and defended bravely with 10 men for almost two thirds of the game to reach the knockout round.

Dimitris Salpingidis and Stefanos Athanasiadis connected for PAOK who was left one man less when Konstatin Stfylidis was banished for a handball violation. Luka Modric hit the ensuing penalty for the hosts Spurs but they could not gain any further and are now facing elimination.

A porous defence from the Spurs, currently third in the Premier League, enabled Salpingdis and Athanasiadis to connect for PAOK who now have 11 points from five Group A games.

Rubin Kazan is at second with 10 points. While the Tottenham are 3 points further and must prevail at Shamrock Rovers on Dec. 15 at the same time pray that PAOK defeat Rubin.

After securing their place in the last 32, PAOK players celebrated in front of their cheering followers. Many of them without shirts on a cold night and some wearing masks of the Queen.

Stafylidis was sent off in the 37^th but PAOK played tough the rest of the way to remain unbeaten.

Five other teams also advanced to the knockout phase ahead of their final group fixtures.

Former titlists Atletico Madrid qualified after downing hosts Celtic 1-0, Metalist Kharkiv settled for a 0-0 tie against Austria Vienna, while Braga topped Birmingham 1-0. Standard Liege whipped Hannover 2-0 but both teams made it because the other Group B sides – Vorskla Poltava and FC Copenhagen – could only manage a draw 1-1.

After the defeat, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said: “We did everything we could but it’s very difficult when you change your entire team and the reason we’ve been doing well in the Premier League is because we’ve been resting players in Europe. You can’t have it all ways.’’

Winger Arda Turan converted on a powerful shot for Atletico in the 30^th minute as hosts Celtic saw their 10-game unbeaten run halted at 10. Udinese can also advance from Group I if they avoid a loss against Celtic in their last game.

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