Samsunspor's European dream dented: Panathinaikos secures 2-1 comeback win
After a 27-year absence from European competition, Samsunspor’s return was met with a tough 2-1 defeat to Panathinaikos in the UEFA Europa League play-off first leg. The Turkish club took a second-half lead, but a quick comeback from the Greek side means Samsunspor must now win at home in the second leg to advance.
Samsunspor's long-awaited return to Europe after 27 years ended in a 2-1 defeat against Greek club Panathinaikos in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie. The match, which marked the first-ever meeting between the two clubs in a European competition, took place at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, with Spanish referee Juan Martinez Munuera in charge.
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Samsunspor started the second half on a high note, with Logi Tomasson scoring in the 51st minute to give his side the lead. However, the Greek team quickly responded. Kiriakopoulos equalized in the 66th minute, and Palmer-Brown sealed the victory for the home side with a goal in the 74th minute. The Turkish side had a goal disallowed for offside in the 37th minute, which would have put them ahead in the first half.
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This was Samsunspor’s first appearance in a UEFA competition since the 1997-98 Intertoto Cup. Now, the "Red and Whites" will have to overcome the one-goal deficit at home in Istanbul to keep their European hopes alive.
Match details
Goals:
- 51' Logi Tomasson (Samsunspor)
- 66' Kiriakopoulos (Panathinaikos)
- 74' Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos)
Starting Lineups:
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Kotsiras, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Kiriakopoulos, Chrivella, Cerin, Bakasetas, Tete, Pellistri, Swiderski.
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Samsunspor: Okan Kocuk, Zeki Yavru, Satka, van Drongelen, Tomasson, Celil Yüksel, Makoumbou, Ntcham, Dimata, Emre Kılınç, Mouandilmadji.
