No Place For Romance

By: Chris Paraskevas | May 23rd, 2009

If someone had asked me to choose between Champions League football next season and a Greek Cup, the more romantic side of me would have chosen the latter.

But, given the nature of the modern game, romance arguably has little value for a club that simply needs the money.

In any case, the prestige of Champions League football is far greater than than the Greek Cup and would surely entice potential investors over the summer more than a piece of silverware.

With that in mind, these next two play-off games away to Larissa and at home against Panathinaikos are perhaps the most important of the season; two victories will give us a chance at playing UCL Group stage football, with the assorted financial windfall and exposure giving the club a massive boost over the summer following a season where finances have been a major issue.

A draw in Larissa – Thessaly usually being a difficult place to travel to – and a win at home against Pana in the last match does leave it to chance somewhat but might give us first place by virtue of goal difference.

Ten Cate’s side host PAOK on Sunday, which would suggest a guaranteed three points going by the northern Greek side’s form against the Big Three this season – they have failed to take a single point – so a win for AEK is basically imperative.

That would lead into a massive final game at home against the Greens, in which a win would guarantee Champions League football next season – and go some way to banishing some painful memories from over the past season.

*Geraldo Alves and Pantelis Kafes have both been ruled out for this clash, with the latter’s absence likely to be felt in midfield. Talisman Sotiris Kyrgiakos remains injured.

Play-Off Table (Which to my understanding is decided on goal difference):

/ Team/ Goals For / Goals Against / Goal Difference / Points

1. Panathinaikos / 6 / 2 / +4 / 12
2. AEK Athens / 8 / 4 / +4 / 11
3. PAOK / 3 / 5 / -2 / 6
4. Larissa / 3 / 9 / -6 / 0